Arena Dirt

The smell of rodeo school
of arena dirt and animal shit
Fear of being winded
lying hopeless
gasping for air
being trampled by hooves
The scrapes full of arena dirt
and animal shit
burning the smell of rodeo school
deep into my mind
bullriding gloves
sticky with resin
the finger ends cut off
Bright red fingers
exiting the glove ends
Dad pulling tight
on the end of the braided rope
My heart pounding
"stick your chest out and watch the beast's head"
"follow his head, that's what your brother does"
"point your toes out and nod when your ready"
The chute gate opens
God, I was never ready
Heart and finger ends pounding
ready to explode
Watch the beast's head
mere inches from my nose
Then the arena dirt and shit
knock the wind out of me again.