The Battle

Down, up, down, then back up in the air.
I quickly move, all around, seamlessly without a care.

The rattling of the board, I feel it under my feet.
I jumped a gap, right off the ramp and landed on the concrete.
 
I dive, I roll, then tell myself I’m ok.
For a second I think about quitting, then I tell myself no way.

Back to my feet, board in hand.
At the top of the ramp is where I stand.
 
Eyes closed, sun on my face.
Clearing my mind as I get into my space.

Stepping on my board and leaning into the run.
As I take off the ramp, I felt blinded by the sun.
 
I passed the gap, but again landed hard on the concrete floor.
This pain in my arm, it was now worse than before.

Arm throbbing, head spinning, I needed to go and find a place to sit.
Under a tree, leaning on its trunk and all I could think was to quit.
 
Sad, upset, hurting, pain is filling in my eyes.
Thinking about that gap, and all of my failed tries.

Shake it off, I repeat in my head.
Pain in my arm as it starts to turn red.

I want to give up, but it won’t be today.
Just need a minute and I’ll be ok.
 
The pain in my arm sent shocks through my brain.
Thoughts of anything else were hard to obtain.

But now with time passing, I’m starting to feel ok.
I’m going to land this gap, and today is going to be the day!
 
Getting myself up and moving, on the ramp is where I stand.
Staring down at the run before me, while holding my skateboard in hand.

Taking a deep breath, as I rest and clear my mind.
The confidence in me, I’m desperately trying to find.

Looking down the ramp, past the gap to the hard concrete floor.
It won’t get the best of me, this is, my war!

Leaning on forward, the run has now begun.
Quickly approaching the end of the ramp as I take off into the sun.
 
Blinded for a second, floating as time has seemed to slow.
Board under my feet, as I start to feel pressure coming from below.

Wheels hit the floor, as I land and roll away.
Ecstatic energy flows throughout my body, I’ve overcome my battle today!