MAT NIGHTMARES ARE OFTEN DREAMS YOU MISSED
My last one happened so fast. We were scrambling, my professor and I. Chaos for me. For him, tea time. Then my alarm blares: I know that move. He’s gonna dive, head to the mats and, upside down in the most unnatural way a human should move, will elevate my legs. Somehow, he will end up on my back, around my limbs, interrupting my neck and I will tap. But in that moment, that time only, I notice it first. I move—push his leg just a little, so it can’t catch mine. We roll into each other and my prize comes in the form of a grunt. His. I did it! Pride hasn’t settled yet when I realize it. My legs wrapped around his neck and one arm. Deadly, if only I can tighten it up a little bit. So I take a deep breath and tell myself: all at once, release the leg, replace with the hand. It was quick, I promise. But in that little time while I replaced my hold, he simply sits up. As if he had time for a coffee, a few emails and then “hey, I think he left the door open” kind of escape. My time to grunt. Can’t believe I let this opportunity pass. Lessons I heard so many times, from so many different positions, bounce back from the past. “Never let go of a grip before you get a new one.” Now my golden opportunity is gone. And, as I think all that, I feel an arm wrapping around my neck.
Image made with MidJourney AI as a nightmare in the yellow mats by #frankmiller
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