ups and downs

the highs are so high
that the lows
seem much lower.

the thrill of the win
makes loss so much worse.

the courage to know
when to go,
when to wait.

the strength to accept
a different fate.

the race
will always,
will forever
end.

but memories
life
friends--

the good
the bad
the ugly
are taken,
experienced together.

taken in,
enveloped;
awarded,
rejected,
and no matter what
affirmed.