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The Marathoner
by Glenn CurrierWhat is a marathoner?
The dictionary has it as
someone who participates
in long-distance races.
Is it the measured miles
and calibrated time
slope of the hills, bends in the route
that make a marathoner?
Or is it about heart?
Willingness?
Seemingly small choices
each minute of the race?
If that is the measure of a marathoner
I know such a participant.
He gathers his spirit
rises, enters, engages.
A faithful pioneer of practical wisdom
disciplined by stumbles, returns, recoveries,
day by day, week by week,
decades of new beginnings.
Not a solitary man doing as he pleases
he runs with us
glances back, spurs and nurtures
reaches us with a hand up.
Some notice his sardonic humor
or his impish grin
but within, a man of value,
a gentle disciple of listening.
A husband,
fathering many,
we have needed
the faithful service
splashed upon our path
by this
tenacious
marathoner. 03/26/2010 Author's Note: Dedicated to my dear friend Ed S. on the 22nd anniversary of his service to our community.
Posted on 03/26/2010
Copyright © 2026 Glenn Currier
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 03/26/10 at 03:01 PM ...glenn, at first i liked this; then, i noticed it wasn't about me! and immediately i saw something wrong. ed s. just whisked by marathoning away...you do him proud as Loretta Lynn says. |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 03/26/10 at 03:11 PM Everyone is a "marathoner" is her/his own way. I write. I do not run. This is truely brilliant. Every word, I especially like stanza 3 and the ending. Brilliant in every aspect. Thanks for sharing. Your friend is very lucky to have you. |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 03/27/10 at 12:33 AM Really liked the use of the word "marathoner", and this is a fine tribute to Ed S. I especially enjoyed Stanza 5. Thank you. |
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