Stuck in his blocks

Feelings towards the end of a career break.

Hushhhhh!
On your marks!
Icey blue body
Robotically
Enters the lane.
Silvery polished
Places feet firmly at the line.
Liquid metal skin sweats
Bubbles boil.

Get set!
Muscles move Transformer-like
Chiselled face pops up Porsche headlights.
Stadium holds its breath.

GO!
Everybody explodes.
Except him.

Legends relayed down the ages.
Deafened after a false start; couldn’t hear the gun go again.
Battened down, dared not make the same mistake.
Focused on the finish; never got started.

Fossilised statue to liminality
Finally
Bursts through his shell.
Empty seats exhale roaring relief
Decaying echoes of past glory.

Epijog
Marching frame cries for grease
Arms creak, legs squeak.
Sheds rusty flaky skin;
Reveals
Sinews renewed.

Rigid gait turns agile stretch, fluid flex.
Malleable stride organically slinks
Around track bends.
Slows to breezy walk
Grins; no disgrace.
Still
He wins:
It was a de-lay race.