Second Wind: a poem by Karen Chamisso

 

First wind came out of the womb

Guzzling atmosphere like champagne

Bawling the certainty of self.

Second wind came out of recess

- a whistle, the line of girls

-the pecking order had my heart in its hands.

At midcourse I saw behind me

My blundering enemy Jane, flushed

With her evil weight and ways.

‘Where the foxe is earthed blow for the terriers

After the maner.” Birth of second wind

Out of the death of the fox

The wolf, and the deer.

I was by the tenth grade mistress

Of the breathing art, took my enemies three two one.

I was Coach's girl, until I discovered pot and cigs.

My second wind, my second wind

Another ghost howls in my wrack and wreck.