My hour at the gym
I watch a video screen
impossible to ignore the blaring
televised from Los Angeles a Ninja Warrior
powers through an obstacle course
challenging balance, strength, and agility
else to plunge into a deep pool of ignominy.
I increase the resistance on my elliptical
watch the contestant swing perilously
gaining momentum to propel himself
to the next ring, but as I gaze at the spectacle
his hand slips and I know instantly
what is going to happen
cry behind my mask,
but there it is—that adverbial moment
when we let go, realize
we don’t have the strength and fall
fall into the water.
But outside people wash cars
as though there’s a place to go
wait at bus stops with groceries
and hurry home to cook dinner
as spring snow shedded from trees
white discs the size of a fingernail
gives us, the lucky ones,
another chance at the ring.