A Run

The following was written about the phases of the day and corresponding emotions during a 24-hour endurance run, where a relay team of 8 members covered 131 miles consecutively and through the day and night, to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It was emotional and difficult for everyone, and to this day remains one of the most physically and mentally challenging things I have ever done, in addition to most rewarding. I wrote about the details of the run here, and this is the website for this year's event. Please consider donating to the C2C Run. Your money goes directly to local cancer patients who cannot afford to drive to their own cancer treatment. I wrote this very shortly after the event, inspired by my teammates and friends and fellow volunteers. This run was an honor!

A Run

Dusk

city limits

no peace

headlights kill the calming clatter

of the rain

Dark

Ohio backroads

twist and turn and tumble

leading me on

I blindly trot along

as the cornstalks whisper my name

the darkness is tempting

I could be invisible

my hair

cornsilk

my face open like a sunflower

legs

strong

stubborn

as roots of the oak tree

yes, I could return to the earth

but I blindly trot along

until day breaks

and I am safe in the sun’s arms

Dawn

I feel my insignificance

even the particles in the air present themselves

for the sunrise

clouds, jealous of the rising star,

try to hide its beauty

but the sun fights

the tension is burgundy

Day

have you ever the pleasure

of running with the river?

cheery waters watch

trees dance

the leaves applaud me

and the wind sends kisses

a mossy path welcomes my footfalls

kinder than the pavement of the backroads

the sun smiles in rays

waving across the water

praising me for believing in her

even when she was gone