The Race of My Life

Author's note: Having recently turned 60, the realization hit me that I have more years on which to reflect than years on which to speculate.

I feel great, mind you. I'm in good shape for my age, and have no intention of giving up the ghost anytime soon. Still, at my age, the mind sometimes drifts into reflection. There are so many satisfying memories—and of course a few regrets.

This original poem focuses on a truth that for me, was much too long in coming.

When first I set my heart to run
I lived the tenets, every one:
talent, training, focus, drive,
ever striving toward the prize.

Was taught from youth to stand above
Exploit the weak, no thought of love
Work hard. Do this. Work hard. Do that
Deny your senses...another lap.

Let mind rule body. Don't allow
mundane distractions—no way, no how
If you can think it, it can be
Let heart and feelings bow the knee.

Prepare, imagine, plot, conspire
No time to feel. More fuel, more fire!
And when that train goes rumblin' through
no man or beast dare challenge you.

Coiled like a spring, in silence posed
baton in hand...eyes closed
I've done my homework, left nothing short
then...POW! I hear the gun's report

Out of the blocks the quads do burn
I lean in hard against the turn
The race is on, no holding back
Get outa my way. I own this track.

Oiled and shiny, like a machine
I check all systems: everything's green
Arms in tight, fingers loose
shoulders back...how can I lose?

Into the backstretch, out of the turn
leading the pack without a concern
I right the ship, full steam ahead
So well rehearsed—played out in my head

So what's this sound on my left and my right?
The hooves of my rivals, declaring their might?
Move faster legs! I now implore
Another lash...and then, one more.

I dig to call on my reserve
I strive to muster all my nerve
The harder I try to break me free
the tighter I get, as we enter turn three.

Is this what has come of the sweat and the tears
preparing for greatness all of these years
to now eat the dust of Johnson and Jones?
I'd rather be pummeled with sticks and stones.

Out of turn four and into the sun
lying before me the rest of my run
the younger, the stronger, the wiser it seems
are doing their damnedest to steal all my dreams.

I'm not really sure how it happened that day
with the sun on my face, in the breezes of May
on the final straight in the race of my life
a powerful truth cut me deep, like a knife.

When tyrannic oppression had full run its course
the slave turned on master with incredible force
A hearty rebellion of sorts did ensue
feelings, emotion, senses...that's new!

A softening took hold down deep in my soul
My steely heart melted—the half became whole
At this time, in this place, with my lap almost run
body and mind and soul became one.

Ol' Johnson and Jones sort of faded away
and with them, their footsteps, in an uncanny way
I spied a young child far removed from this race
all caught up in ice cream, delight on her face.

A gaggle of geese heading north on the wing
the mountains, the clouds, the freshness of Spring
I smelled popcorn and hot dogs, the new-mown sod
The gray turned to color, my thoughts turned to God.

In such a brief moment, everything changed
as if truth for deception were somehow exchanged
When I rendered my senses and unlocked my mind
when I saw my own weakness, a strength I did find.

I discovered my stride was a bit more pronounced
that my feet on the track had a little more bounce
Just a moment before, bound up in my trying,
now awash in my freedom, I find myself flying!

As I'm nearing the end of this interesting race
the wind at my back and the sun on my face
I relish the moment, I feel so alive!
My protege waits at the head of turn five.

With a fresh, new awareness of the stick in my hand
(a symbol of teamwork—together we'll stand)
I pass it to you. Now take it and run!
Work hard. Give all. But remember: have fun.

And now to the climax of running my course:
its no longer my race; from here it is yours
Don't take the words lightly I now freely give:
with all of your being...run, love, and live!

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