on editing a photograph

did you know
the first time
that you would win

did you dream
the first night
that you would be
photographed after

when you kicked up the first kickstand
when you strapped the first helmet
when you felt the first speed of legs
when you balanced the first wheels

did your mind wander to what could be
did you even know to wonder

and the picture they took
you in the sun with the smile
wearing the colors of triumph

the picture around the world
on my screen dissected by grain

did you stop to think of your nose
that tiny curve into lip
how I would fade the pixels beyond
magnify your chin
and the crest of your eyebrow
lit with the smile and the sun

intimacy with the world

your face is fair game
the face of the champion
always is