Release Slice of Life Tuesday


Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for hosting Slice of Life.  Please visit their site for other slices.



I am in no way an athlete or poet.  My attempts at running are actually jog a little, walk a lot.  I'm discovering the importance of giving myself the time to exercise, eat good foods, and generally take a break from work and other stresses.  I don't often try to write poetry, but this came to me yesterday as I took an early morning walk/jog.


Release


Don't you go thinkin' and thinkin' and thinkin.'
Steve Forbert's song resonates in my mind
As I lace up my shoes.













My mind races
To places I don't want to go.
Thoughts crash against each other
Scrambling,  screeching,  scraping.

I start out slowly
Yearning for release from the clamor
Ricocheting in my head.










Unexpected surprises welcome me
Reds, oranges, and yellows
Leap out
As my feet hit the pavement.

Shriveled jack-o-lanterns
Dot front porches;
Ghostly ghouls
Swing from trees.









Thinkin' and thinkin' and thinkin.'

Breathe in, breathe out
The rhythm soothes me
One foot in front of the other.
Breathe out, breathe in
Again and again and again.

Soon, the cadence of my breathing and
The pounding of my shoes
Drown out the cacophony in my head.

Peace gently nestles in,
Calming the storm in my soul.















Comments

  1. You should try poetry more often, this was great! I know those thoughts that crash into each other. The cadence of breathing and walking brought you peace and your words were calming.

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  2. I love this post! I run most mornings and your poem completely describes what running does for me every day. Thank you --it made me smile.

    Clare

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  3. Very fun! Love the rhythmic lines...feel as if you are out for a walk/jog as you read it!

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  4. Thanks for taking us on this run with you. I feel like I was there!

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  5. Today I wrote about exercise as well, but I was not poetic about it.I had no pictures to go with mine. Yours is inspiring! I need to go for a walk on the next sunny day!

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  6. You make running sound delightful! I loved how the rhythm of your poem felt like running, and how you helped us feel the way the thoughts ran through your head!

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  7. How great that you are getting out there and not only running, but also writing poetry! Two great habits in the making! Congratulations!

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  8. You ARE a poet, Julie. This poem contains so many beautiful images that I could see as I 'ran' alongside you.
    Shriveled jack-o-lanterns on the front porches and the pounding of your shoes that drown out the cacophony in your head were among my favorite lines.

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