First

Runners at their mark, focusing

On the goal some distance down the track

Will it be a sprint or a marathon

Depends upon the attitudes they hold

They have trained but not practiced

Their muscles are powerful, their minds not

If they seem to struggle it will be harder

Yet if they just stride along

It will be safer, it will be safer

The fans in the stands watch carefully

The man with the starting pistol steps out

He raises his arm, says, mark-set-go

He fires his shot into the air

And the runners spring to action

They push themselves to the limits

And one, filled with self-importance

Crosses the finish line first