the racing dive

I balance, toes gripping the edge. The background pandemonium recedes as I focus on the moment. I bend forward as far as I can without tumbling, head down, arms stretched upward behind me. Every muscle strains but I am still as a rock in this balancing act. Although my head is down I look forward, eyes turned upward in their sockets as far as they will go as I concentrate on the space before me. In my mind I rehearse the way, with a spring from my feet and knees and the velocity of my stretched arms swinging forward, I shall hurl my body as far and as quickly as I can. My arms will meet in front of my head like a knife to cut the surface with as little disturbance as possible. Any friction will hinder my progress. Lungs filled, I listen on a trigger for the sound.