late summer
tomatoes ripening on
naked vines
passionfruit spiraling
up up up
to bright blue skies
a cool summer
fog, chills
wool sweaters
and now,
the heat begins
hot legs turning from red to brown
surfing weekly,
beginning to stand,
only half-clad in a wet suit
my traditional summer travels
truncated
time outdoors
lessened
internal focus
monk-like
passionate
tired
"don't burn out"
"it's a marathon, not a sprint"
"keep swimming"
I walk the trails
flashcards, papers,
mind filled with ideas
questions, thoughts,
let it all
fall away
one breath
one question
infinite answers
but just one
just one
for this test
hone in
aiming arrow forward
gaze set
core powerful
body shaking, sweating
rooting feet
counting breath
preparing,
prepared
clear the mind
visualize success
slowly pull back the drawstring
refocus the gaze
precise
alignment
grace
not yet
not yet
refocus
re-align
practice
fail
rise
practice
fail
rise
soon,
let the arrow
FLY.
