Poems About Family and Friends
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Joey, our special man Page where poem appears Print this poem
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Small Reunion Page where poem appears Print this poem
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Johnny Hears Page where poem appears Print this poem
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Tribute to John Tonn Jr. on the occasion of his funeral
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The Lady at the Desk Page where poem appears Print this poem
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About my friend Elizabeth Hobbs who was staff member at DeSoto Public Library
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The Marathoner Print this poem only
What is a marathoner?
The dictionary has it as
someone who participates
in long-distance races.
Is it the measured miles
and calibrated time
slope of the hills, bends in the route
that make a marathoner?
Or is it about heart?
Willingness?
Seemingly small choices
each minute of the race?
If that is the measure of a marathoner
I know such a participant.
He gathers his spirit
rises, enters, engages.
A faithful pioneer of practical wisdom
disciplined by stumbles, returns, recoveries,
day by day, week by week,
decades of new beginnings.
Not a solitary man doing as he pleases
he runs with us
glances back, spurs and nurtures
reaches us with a hand up.
Some notice his sardonic humor
or his impish grin
but within, a man of value,
a gentle disciple of listening.
A husband,
fathering many a man,
we have needed
the faithful service
splashed upon our path
by this
tenacious
marathoner.
Author’s Note: Dedicated to my dear friend Ed Stofko
“The Marathoner,” Copyright 2010 by Glenn Currier
Written March 23, 2010