The Silence Before The Win

On a random May afternoon,

I was thinking about how,

How in school,

Everyone seemed to get everything before I did,

I did get there eventually,

And this is not about studies,

I was great in that,

It's about everything else.

(look at me comparing)

And today, that still feels so valid.

Then, moments ago, I found this reel that said,

Have you noticed how when medals are distributed,

The 3rd place is always called first,

Then the 2nd place,

And finally,

The 1st is called the last.

And everything made sense.

It does feel you haven't won when you're hearing the 3rd place's name being called out,

It feels you've lost when the 2nd place's name is called out,

And then, moments before the 1st place is called,

There's silence,

There's this epic pin drop silence,

Everyone waiting to hear,

The name being called out for the 1st place,

And when it's yours,

There's thunderous claps,

There's cheering,

There's this bubble around you,

It feels unreal,

Magical even.

This, moment, right here,

Feels like the silence before my name is called out.

Not that I'm not winning now.

I am.

But the silence is deafening right now.