4x4

As I run down the track
my strength is withdrawing
I hear my heart pounding
as my energy is leaving

but then i hear a voice
call out from the crowd
i turn to look
and see a familiar smile

time seemed to have stopped
as i stared in confusion
HE was cheering me on
even though i was losing!

A sudden burst of strength
came out of nowhere
"you can win this race"
kept going through my head

I sprinted down the track
thinking about him cheering
and how amazing i felt having
my opponent only yards ahead

then the turn came
the straight to the finish line
i gave all i had
just to be side by side
with the one who was winning

i looked at my opponent
and i could see in her eyes
how tired she really was
and felt glad to know
my strength was carrying me on

it was the last 30 yards
and I sprinted my fastest
I was only ahead by a foot
when I crossed the finish line

after passing my baton
to another teammate
i finally stopped
and felt myself collapsing

but then i heard a voice
call out from the crowd
i turned to look
and saw a familiar smile

"I did it! I did it!"
i screamed with delight
as he came with arms wide open
and hugged me so tight

I didn't want to let go
even though i knew
this hug was for winning
nothing more, nothing less

but he didn't let go
and we watched my teammate
cross the finish line
leaving the opponent in the dust

we both screamed
jumping with excitement
knowing that we won
and that's all that mattered

we sat there
and watched the last two races
and it was so cold
that we didn't let go

the meet ended
and so did that moment
but that meaningful memory
will remain forever

even though
this meant the world to me
i know that this memory
meant nothing to him.