I Am From

I am from frigid rinks,

from bruised knees and injuries. 

I am from waking up before the sunrise

just to practice for a show.

I am from the losses.

The triumphs.

The very things that shaped me

into the competitor I am today. 

I am from determination and hard work.

from my coaches and their experiences.

And my parents and their sacrifices.

And from not stopping until I reach my goals.

I am from “never give up” and “follow your dreams”

and 2 hour rides to practice.

I am from traveling across the country. 

I am from my idols and my tough competitors.

I am from the bedazzled dresses,

and perfect makeup.

I am from tight headache inducing buns

sprinkled with dusts of glitter. 

I am from the sparkling white smile 

plastered on my face for 4 minutes straight. 

Blue Gatorade and luna bars, 

my pre-competition rituals,

before each performance. 

I am from judges scores

on a single printed sheet of paper.