To Rita in Recovery
Thin as a reed
Skinny as a rail
Quiet as a mouse
Lightning speed,
Rita
Regardless of weather
Location or distance
Front of the line
Visor in place
Ready to race
Rita
Cat quiet
Through pre-race chatter
Blaring horn
And stallions prance
Shuffling feet
Butterfly dance
Rita
Pumping arms
Flying feet
Generating heat
Through tedious time
And so many miles
Oxygen burn
Legs churn
Rita
Grinding effort
Sucking air
Learned endurance
Gets you there
The finish line
Camera click
Shimmer of smile
Shutter speed quick
Rita
Now a different race
Slower pace
No need for speed
No greedy miles
No pleasant smiles
Stakes are high
Still can fly
Keep the faith
Hold your pace
Rita
Teammates look to
Your return
The start
Is the finish
To begin
Is to win
Don’t have to go faster
Mercury Master
Anywhere in place
A true victory race
Rita
Debbie Hamm
January, 2004