Game 47

CHI 96      OT       UTA 105

​For Mary

There are things
We cannot run away from.

Better yet,
There are things that,
Once started,
Must be done
All the way.

Five days ago,
I watched my wife
Deliver our daughter.

She battled through
Pain and exhaustion
For thirty plus hours.

And when the buzzer sounded,
And the midwife said
Push!

She pushed.

And pushed.

Two more hours
Of pain I can’t imagine.

Sleeping between contractions
That came at a sprint--

Unrelenting,
Through countless overtimes.

But she stayed focused,
Executed perfectly,
And we came home
With the win.

A true champion
Balances instinct
With coaching.

A true champion goes
All out--
Every single play

And doesn’t bow
‘Til she hears the buzzer.

A true champion
Puts it all on the floor

While the rest of us watch
From the sidelines--

Resting our legs,
Wondering when the game will end.