By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
VICTORY LAP
When my father
looked at me
he saw the arms
he lost as a child
I never swam fast
or hit hard enough
to knock myself out of a match
I couldn’t win
When the tapes
are replayed in slow motion
I can forgive myself
for missing the handoff
If I had not dropped the ball
I couldn’t have carried myself down field
Rounded bases
home
Nor could I throw
my arms around you
papa
And let love
take the victory lap
Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).
Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)
- Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
- Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
- Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018
