Coached

Sitting alone—nothing new.

I cheer from the edge,

but not even a glance from you.

You throw the disc,

and my mind goes blank—

I keep showing up,

heart wide, smile practiced,

wave ready.

Not even a nod.

No “hi.”

No “bye.”

Sometimes the game calls

and there’s no one else to take you.

That’s when I appear—

an option,

not a choice.

Always the last to know.

Always hanging by a string,

just for the chance

to exist in your atmosphere.

Never the one you’d reach for.

Never the one you’d text first.

But no matter the score

in this game of life,

I’ll keep sacrificing—

every time,

without hesitation.

One day,

you’ll realize

Coach wasn’t on your side.

He was just playing

for his own win.