On Saturday I run extra hard in circles around the mat
leaping and pounding and stretching
in every direction

I am aware that Ben has not even left school yet

I still only do
two back handsprings
which is impressive
to most normal human beings
but coaches are not
normal human beings
they are
other
and they expect more

like Arabians and aerials and back layouts

I try to make up for my failure on beam
by working extra hard on bars
catching the bar more times
than I miss

I’m not sure it’s working.