A Runner's Poem

-for my running friends

Running helps me remember,
Processing with every foot step on the hard pavement,
Learning from my memories,
Understanding how to get where I need to in life, 
One step forward at a time.
The morning rain cleanses the path I run,
While this path I run is paved, 
The path in life is not always that clear.

Mile 1
A million thoughts clutter my brain,
Endless to do list,
A grant proposal to be finished,
A phone call to make,
A schedule to create,
I don’t have time to run with a million things to get done.

Footsteps on the hard pavement
Thoughts begin to dissipate 


Mile 2
Thoughts more focused
I got a date tonight, what to wear?
Focus on breath, breathe
Let the to do list go,
Everything will be there when you get back
This is my time for me,
Give to me so I can give to others,
Puddle ahead, run, run, leap

Footsteps on the hard pavement
Thoughts begin to dissipate 

Mile 3
Thoughts disappear, 
Music inspiring me to run,
Breath is natural,
Grass is green from all the rain,
I remember a rainstorm in a dream,
A flooded riverbed, cascading dreams.

Footsteps on the hard pavement
Thoughts begin to dissipate 

Mile 4
Head is clear, body and breath connect
I am alive with love, joy, and my path

Mile after mile,
Body and breath connect with the footsteps on the hard pavement
Thoughts dissipate bringing clarity.