Student Publishing Program ::

Nicole Shalpak

Healing Process

I hear the familiar sound of a ball being struck,
Smacked clean off the ground and sailing higher and higher into the night sky.

Pieces of turf are flying into the air and the shooter waits with baited breath.
In my head, I'm silently criticizing her form.

The ball's curving now, turning in towards goal.
It's dropping, dropping, and...

I turn to look at the shooter again, the forward,
While everyone else watches the ball.

She doesn't let the excitement, the pressure, get to her.
Taking the direct kick with ease and confidence.

Just as I would have.

Suddenly, her emotions break through as I hear the net rustle.
Teammates are running towards her, cheering and yelling.

Game winning goal.
The best feeling in the world.

It's over, it's all over, the ref blows his whistle.
We lost. But I don't mind.

I didn't see the goal.
I couldn't.

I reach for my crutches,
Glance down at my knee brace,
And silently tell myself,
One game closer.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2012 EDITION]