changing room gossip,

full of laughter and energy for the hour to come,

communal joy and love for this space

  

lungs operating on overdrive,

heart beating a furious rhythm,

limbs stretched and pulled and searching for purchase

 

sweat slicked skin,

the comforting ache of well worked muscles,

fresh water running gloriously down a parched throat

 

fist bumps and handshakes all around,

words of encouragement and praise,

ready to do it all agin tomorrow