Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Claudia Emerson

Physical Education

Physical Education

Physical Education

The coach has grown larger with each decade
until, wrestler-fat, she travels to the hockey field
 
in a golf cart rattled with whistles, rackets,
sticks, and cleats. From behind the wheel, she metes out
 
laps like lashes, and terrified, they circle
the school the way water, not yet furious,
 
trains around an impatient drain: run 
run – you girls, you stupid, stupid girls.
Close

Physical Education

The coach has grown larger with each decade
until, wrestler-fat, she travels to the hockey field
 
in a golf cart rattled with whistles, rackets,
sticks, and cleats. From behind the wheel, she metes out
 
laps like lashes, and terrified, they circle
the school the way water, not yet furious,
 
trains around an impatient drain: run 
run – you girls, you stupid, stupid girls.

Physical Education

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