on those athletic blocks
keenly balanced
expectantly alert
she knew
her training would propel her
down that track
the moment
the starter’s pistol fired
but she also knew
there was a choice
a contested decision
regarding those left behind
and
the obligation
and insistence

others must follow

First published by, ‘Sparks of Calliope’
https://sparksofcalliope.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/the-after-by-geoffrey-aitken/
edited by Randal Burd, May 2020