Courtesy: Google Image
In school I thought I had deer feet. So every year in annual sports-meet I would line up with others in short blue skirts, white shirt, white cades shoes without spikes; with ears sharp to three words that would shoot at two feet: get, set, go. All I could see was the big red ribbon held across by two teachers which I had to touch first. I know during the run I would shut all my sense organs except vision. I believed I did really fly. Yet there were taller feet, stronger and faster. I always ended up among the first four or five. However the victory stand gave space to only three. That shiny golden cup with the brown base where your name, class, section, date and the sports – event written on a white card were pasted always eluded me. Always.
Twinkling lights of night
Lies beyond reality
Wish star falls on ground
Posted for dVerse Haibun Monday – Sport hosted by Bjorn
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Shared with Poetry Pantry #359 @ Poets United
sumanar/lekha 
Oh Sumana, I know that feeling. But it’s the wind and the feeling of flying that are the important parts. Everyone gets too tied up in the winning part.
I love the fact that it was within reach, maybe that feeling that it was possible left you with a sense of achievement…
Love the revisit…
Oh, that’s not quite making it…Finding a balance between winning and enjoyment is so important.
awwww. it wasn’t the trophy but the feel of the wind against your skin as you run. beautiful and nostalgic too!
I know that feeling of shutting all the sense organs except vision – eyes on the prize. Such a shame that the prize eluded you – although your wish star didn’t really fall on the ground as you ran your fastest and made it to the ribbon.
A beautiful haiku for the disappointments of a child. It is in the running and the image you’ve created here of deer feet that the winning is accomplished.
Very poetically told, she of the “deer feet”…”with ears sharp to three words that would shoot at two feet.” Lovely.
I like the last line a lot. “Wish star falls upon ground”. Klunk!
“Falls to the ground,” says so much….perhaps they could be gathered there? The scrapbooks are filled with “wish stars.”
You shared the experience nicely. I was there with you. Nice wrap-up haiku!
Brilliant, brilliant Haiku for the narrative! Bravo!
You tried, and you pushed yourself. That’s the main thing though—the stars were still shining even when they fell.
To achieve your personal best is to win. Your star shines!
I could see the race and the determination. You shine bright!
I liked the last line of the haiku: “Wish star falls on ground”. Good description of not being able to reach a certain goal.
I would say what’s important is that you felt like flying and to enjoyed. I would say four to five everytime itself us a great feat, for me!
Oh, but the joy of the race… A great preparation for the realities of adult life. Your writing was such that I felt I was there at the starting line with you.
And yet you kept trying, shooting for the goal. Which we do repeatedly through our lives, even when we grow weary and our footsteps slow. I especially love your haiku with its wish star.
I can just feel your motivation in this poem, Sumana. And you did not give up….a helpful quality to have in life!
You wrote this with such truthful recollection, I almost identified! Which is quite an achievement on your part, considering how schoolgirl me hated sport and didn’t even wish to participate let alone succeed.
There was a time I joined a contest and got 2nd place. That was after lots of tries. It felt good. Never give up, it will be the sweetest. Thanks for this Sumana
May you always run with the stars
The firm belief of participation being more important than winning is a noble thought. All winners may not win in their first try anyway!
Hank
Very poetically written, Sumana ❤️ “deer feet”…”with ears sharp to three words that would shoot at two feet.” is so poignant! 🙂
The haiku is a sign full of longing. And the prose sets us up to be disappointed with her. I felt everything.
I am right there with you, and also loving this child who continues to reach beyond her grasp. Wow.
Curiously I too enjoyed running but victory always eluded me and 2nd was the best I ever did but kept running right into my thirties. I had some vague notion that it would keep me fit!
As long as you did your very best, the wish star still shines! Thank you for sharing your story, and the lovely haiku.
I always hated explaining to my children why not every child won a prize.. It’s is an awful thing really, even though competition is worthy.
There is a joyfulness in this, even though the first place prize eluded you, and that is a beautiful thing 🙂
Things that elude us somehow refashion us into the persons we truly are.
how enjoyable to take a trip down your ‘memory lane.’
Making the attempt fuels our dreams, gives us the ability to try, and those are really good things.
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com
It’s funny, as we look back many years – what we remember and what we forget. Some of the biggest milestones in my life, such as my graduation from university, are hazy shadows. And yet, some of the tiniest moments, such as the wisp of a smile when I knew that someone I liked: liked me … indelible. Even though you never took the victory stand, that race to win, clearly, had a deep impact on you. Great piece, Sumana!
You tried. One trophy beyond the others.
I too was a keen athlete but never in the front but I enjoyed running even as an adult knowing it was good for me and the mantlepiece and sideboard was used for other things!
Sumana, this is the wonderful attitude – to keep trying no matter what. We often focus on the result, on the future forgetting to enjoy current moment. Your participation – what was important, and it’s given you the taste of living in the present.
This brought back some goood sports day memories, Loved the haiku to finish with.
Love this haibun, Can relate to it so well.I am so proud of us for trying so hard.