The Winners Poem by Richard Bunch

No way to win this one, I thought, no way
Since these jocks leaped hurdles faster than I
Had ever done. One's time,14.5
Seconds, set a record in recorded race
Before I even started. Two stars, they
Brayed how fast they'd go and lose us behind,
Said they'd cheer us from start to finished line.
Into the blocks we set, arms taut, legs spaced,
Spikes shot like smoking tires, comets that shred
Space. At the fourth hurdle both stars crashed and
A third was caught.
We took ribbons, hardly won,
But finished our personal lot instead
And found a way to be in such a span
And fashion some stars from what might have been.