At times the trail was beautiful and bright;
At times the trail was beautiful and dark.
I placed my feet wherever it was right,
And only felt the softness of their mark.
The spots of mud were not un-beautiful
Where, as I barreled down the wooded trail,
I kept my eyes on where my feet would fall
Precisely to ensure they wouldn’t fail.
My eyes, my feet, my heart, my lungs, my breath,
My calves, my thighs, my ankles, and my knees
All tuned to keep my body on the path
While just my spirit flew within the trees
And felt the pain of freedom as I ran,
As only freedom’s captive truly can.
This sonnet is available in my book, “26.2 Sonnets for Runners.”