Gymnastics

There is a man from China

hanging from a bar. He is revolving and spinning

and turning and swapping hands and swapping

direction, flying up in the air. The momentum

could easily carry him deep into the crowd

or over the threshold of some kind of record.

If it was a CGI sequence, you would think

it was unrealistic. You wouldn’t believe it.

The commentators, as well as saying

stuff such as "Ah yes, the double double"

are saying that this is a scrappy performance.

He has made some arcane mistake

with his hands. I didn’t notice

but the commentators noticed

and the judges noticed

and he noticed.

Everyone is surprised as his performance becomes

ever more frenetic

ever more ambitious.

He knows now he has nothing to lose

and is uping the game.

I am terrified as

this is not a game

that can be safely

uped. He wheels

almost out of control,

then lands

perfectly

proud

arms

out.