On Instagram, I took a picture of my candle, yoga mat and writing pad. Posted it to Facebook with the message: “Writing poetry on my yoga mat with candlelight and indie folk music. Sweet Saturday.”
My blogger friend, Tammy Hansen White of Lifting My Spirits (and one inspiring woman!) came on and said, “write me a poem about deadlifting!!”
I was in a sort of dreamy, melancholy state, and deadlifting certainly wasn’t what I would associate with that, but I wrote back that I would do that for her. And I try to keep my word as much as possible. So I sat down within five minutes of that message and came out with this poem. Hope you weightlifters like this!
How To Do a Deadlift
1. Stance
The bar rests,
it’s cold steel middle
above the center of my bare feet,
metatarsals looking frail
in comparison.
That’s right. I will stand you down.
I will stare my fright
out of me and into
this thing.
I gauge my stance—
not quite shoulderwidth.
Deep breath in.
Out.
2. Position
Relaxing my knees
I descend, let my shins
feel the cold steel
and place my hands
flat against it,
wrap my fingers,
and grip.
And this is where it starts.
Deep breath in.
Out.
3. Lift
I pause.
Check my shoulders.
Back.
And down.
Head neutral.
Deep breath in.
Running was easier.
It was something I knew
from childhood, familiar,
but this . . .
this won’t move unless I make it.
Lift.
Cold steel passes my knees,
my thighs.
Knees lock.
Hips lock.
Out.
4. Lower
There’s something about
lifting
this physical weight.
It’s physical.
I get it.
I got it.
There’s something about
that clank
as I lower my barbell
back to the floor. . .
this isn’t like running—
this is me,
doing something right.
Beautiful!
Now that’s a compliment!
What a cool way to describe the action of dead lifting. I love the cadence you set and how it gave emphasis at the right moment. Good job my friend.
Thanks Susan.
Loved reading this. It was like “deadlift poetry”…
Thanks Annie!
Great poem. Dead lifts have always been a favorite of mine.
Just bloody beautiful……………
Very nicely done!
That’s pretty awesome – I’m pretty sure you just started a new writing genre! Do we all get to request poem topics now??
Wonderful imagery in your “poem.” I can feel the strain and the cold metal. Beautifully written.
I love it. Very funny description of one of the hardest and most beneficial lifts out there.
Love it. I really think poetry is such a great medium and the fact that you can turn something like a dead lift into art… You go
I got tingles down my spine. As someone who has done many deadlifts in his life, I couldnt help but be THERE when I read this.
Beautiful, Bethany.
When it comes from someone who does deadlifts on a regular basis, it’s a great compliment! Thanks Levi!