Running Poetry XX

Here’s another batch of poems from my halcyon days of running. Back then, I had more time to stretch my legs. I had more time to nurture my competitive spirit. I had more time to giggle at the word ‘fartlek’. I had more time to dream. Those were great days.

Grown men giggling as
Sandals slapped against their heels
Mimicking my stride

Gave in to instinct
The hunger drove me, moved me
Towards a grand feast

Maintain the barest
Semblance of control and let
The fall take over

Fettered by questions
Answers from tricky pages
Stopped asking, just ran

Cheerless sky deities
Pelted cold wind and drizzle
Drew warmth from prayer

Focus
On my breathing
On my stride
On my path
Focus
Follow breathing
Extend stride
Mind my path
Focus

High beam headlights set
Eye sockets afire
Blind to serious threats
As horns join the choir

Staggered out of bed
Each stride lacked motivation
Changed course back to bed
And resumed hibernation

Heat is no excuse
For walking and water breaks
Walked home as penance

The tale has ended
And all that remains is the
Drawn out epilogue

Moment

They fell
Strapped together
’til death do we part
He thought as he screamed
Her screams blended with his own
Her joy and his fear
The vicious plummet and the tug
Upwards then downwards
Nauseating him
Enlivening her
On and on until they stopped
Still suspended in midair
Alive and well
It was the greatest moment of her life
She declared
He considered her
The excitement caught in her eyes
The mirth in her laughter
Her full lips and pretty eyes
It was the greatest moment of his life too

Sun

Breathes
Yet coughs
Tasting blood
Everything aches
His vision darkens
Flew too close to the sun
He falls back to mother earth
The wind whispers its condolence
He crashes and his world vanishes
Wakes, recalls nothing, and stares at the sky
Dreams of stars, moons, rare planets, and the great sun
Dauntlessly wears his wings and takes his new first flight

Running Poetry X

Solo runs or group runs? I’m always on the fence with this question. Almost all of my profound running experiences have happened during my solo runs. However, group runs are undeniably more enjoyable. The poems below illustrate my point and frustration.

First group interval
First belly laugh while running
First barefooted sprint

One equals a hundred
Forgive my crazy math
But times are filled with dread
And ’tis the prudent path

Ignored filling the black hole
This yawning tear in my soul
Gaining mass yet never satisfied
Pain, past and present, is magnified

Caught in a quicksand
Each kilometer has me
Hastening my fall

Felt a tiny spark
My spirit became kindling
Then I’m set ablaze

Space folds before me
Time is absent then present
The sun skips ahead

Let your feet take you
Away from pain, doubt, and fear
Enjoy the moment

This bored fantasy
Has got me shooting myself
Every seventh lap

The crescent moon froze
This chill demanded layers
The count glaciates

His manliness stoked
Twin daggers dug at his side
The man kept running

Further

There’s always further to fall
Fall in with detached legions
Fall as saint among angels
Fall alongside your own demons
Fall until you’re unable
There’s always further to fall
Fall down and just keep falling
Fall off deck and wash ashore
Fall through space and stop breathing
Fall ’til your heart beats no more
There’s always further to fall
Fall in service to country
Fall on knees and say amen
Fall before your fantasies
Fall in love with her again
There’s always further to fall