In her third or fourth decade,
In her eighth or ninth month,
In her earbud solitude--

Headscarf neat, sweatsuit
(Terry cloth comfort), loosely
Tied sports shoes, she gestates
Counting the days ahead.

With a seasoned athletic focus,
That of a long game face (shrewd),
She dismisses the low percentage,
Last second, up in the air plans;
Passes, forgoes the hope in luck.

Tea finished, she breaks from her
Huddle, mutters a labored grunt,
Utters a relived wooooo(!), and
Departs confident to take the field,
To take on the next challenge--
Full of grace.