Deek’s Golden Day

A chill October morning. Grey
Melbourne, 1982. Usually, we students
would be outside at recess
running ourselves warm. Not today.

In the close schoolroom we huddle
around a tiny tv screen,
watching the Commonwealth Games
in Brisbane. Watching, in colour

as marathon star, Rob ‘Deek’
De Castella, battles two rivals
in third place through Fortitude Valley.
Close to the 42km finish line

Deek lengthens stride, sails
past The Regatta Hotel
into history. In first place he flies
down Coronation Drive,

and the roar in our classroom
echoes around the nation.
Lessons are cancelled, our bland
teacher whoops, and we charge

out into the brightening playground.
Each of us soars that day—arms pumping, coiled spring legs. We race through the yard
to imagined cheers and screams.

Ryan Stone