Cross Country Practice

Those winding roads 

east of town with nothing 

but tall corn on either side 

and the sun baking down.

The trill of insects 

and the sway of tassels

in the breeze overhead

that does not cool.

The clomp of shoes

on pavement in sync 

with heavy breathing

trying to find a rhythm.

This is...

Cross Country practice

in the late summer

on the outskirts of 

a small Indiana town.

***