Pounding

I line up at the back, no speed record for me

Alongside Scooby Doo and a Teletubby.

Inside my vest, my heart is pounding

Anticipating the race, cheers resounding.

In my ears, the starting gun sounding

Us off – syncopated surge carries us forward

As one, in a collective lunge

And a stop – into a brick wall of humanity.

I shuffle through the starting line,

Released, the path clears, temptation

To go with adrenaline, in full flow.

Slow, slow – take it steady

I tell myself. Concentrate on the pounding

Beat of my feet on the shiny, wet street

Going on and on. The city fades in the distance.

We separate from the multitude

At the split off point – force myself off on the long way round.

Alone, on a trek past sleepy village, after village

Sileby, Barkby, Queniborough, Thrussington.

Rounding the corner, going back home,

Keep the rhythm steady, feet still pounding,

I can do this – visualise the finish,

Put the pain out of my head.

But my muscles scream out,  the endless pounding

Has taken its toll. I stumble and slow to a walk,

Trudge past now-familiar landmarks

That never seemed so far from home.

A second wind then takes me, past bewildered shoppers

Wondering why anyone would put themselves through this.

Finally – New Walk, and a last incline,

Final, aching push uphill.

To a corridor of claps and cheers

Vicky Park and welcoming beers

In my local. But first, a massage

Yet more pounding. My spine felt fine,

Till your hands started pounding

Playing xylophone on my vertebrae,

My legs cry out in agony.

But I am proud, shiny medal hangs

Round my neck.

Veteran of another race.

 

If you have enjoyed my poetry on this blog, my new collection, “Little Green Poetry” is now available from Lulu – – £4+P&P (paperback) or £2.50 (for e-book readers)

You can still order copies of my first collection, “Little Red Poetry” from http://www.leftbooks.co.uk or http://www.lulu.com – again for £4 (pb) or £2.50 (as a pdf for e-readers).

I hope you enjoy reading my poems, and, as always, all proceeds will go to help build the fightback against corporate political parties, to build a voice for the millions, not the millionaires.

To find out more about my politics, visit the website of the Committee For A Workers’ International, which is engaged in struggle in around 50 countries worldwide.

Tags: leicester marathon, poetry