Healthy Competition

Cross-country saved the pitches

in winter, fair enough,

but made us intellectuals -

us express tail-enders -

miss the first bus after school.

Three minutes from his homework,

Beanpole Perkins always raced

home early, excused by his heart,

got his books out, and wasted no time.

We kept warm at the bus-stop,

killing time, moving pawns.

The double-decker from Levers

lurched through the smog;

we concentrated on our chess,

convinced he'd got us licked,

in tomorrow's test.

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