personal best

100 freestyle

take your mark
beep...

nice dive
strong kick
extended arms
deep breathing

strength and grace
synchronicity

hand on the ledge
first in her heat
peering out for her time
breathing deep, straight faced

explosive smile
upon realizing
she raced a personal best

transience

cherry blossoms
revered
during their
short spring visit

orange

poppy flowers

I touch a petal
and look at my fingers
wondering if the fresh paint
of spring rubs off

effort

At the swim meet
I am uplifted
by the way
the kids leap
into the water
and into life lessons

exerting
pushing
persevering

effort
paired with reflection
leads to accomplishment
in and out of the pool

breeze

something about
a warm afternoon breeze
that lulls and contents me

gulp

You know that feeling
you get in your throat
when you are
holding back your tears?

maddiejamesfoundation.org

gulp

distracted

looking back on my day
a series of
distracted moments
pop up

tomorrow is a new day
to be present
with the girls