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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 © 2024 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 Gregory O'Neill on 03/26/10 at 06:32 PM Life is like a marathon,and this is an excellent tribute, Glenn. I think you've also shown in this piece that like a sprinter; there are long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best. Excellent write. Thanks. |
| 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. |
| Posted by Joe David on 03/30/10 at 03:40 AM Well done. Ed is truly blessed to have someone care about him in this way. No doubt it captures his true self but it is also a metaphor for life. I can think of more than one, including you, that it fits to a T. We are all so much richer for having you to share this journey with and to splash your light along the path to help us keep from stumbling. Run on, faithful friend, run on. |
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