Criterion

Downhill Racer

They couldn’t eat the day
  before the competition, their stomachs
pulled taffy. They exercise athletic
  practice of self-denial.

He had breakfast with his father,
  crackers & cheese, in front of the television,
turned off. Conversation sparse,
  cold as the room.

“Winning? Making money?”
  “I win today and I make the team for the Olympics.”
“Why do it if there’s no money.”
  “I’ll be famous,

I’ll be champion.”
  “The world’s full of ‘em.” He drove his father’s Ford pickup
to the event. All the way to the top.

- - -

Revanche

The photograph in his pocket
next to the rocks he collected
next to the lake.

Next to the lake
next to his backyard
his old man played accordion.

His old man played accordion
next to her grave,
next to the lake.

Next to the lake,
next to the photograph of her grave,
he took the rocks in his hands.

He took the rocks in his hands,
next, to his fist
next, to the lake.

Next to the lake
next to the shore
the ripples didn’t stop.