You are all running marathons,

or perhaps still able to play

in a local league match

in which you can imagine

you are scoring

the winning goal in the Cup Final,

or perhaps feeling the burn down the gym,

or perhaps swimming the distance

of the channel every year

down the sports centre,

or perhaps doing something

that your body welcomes

with a parade and a joyful smile;

my old and dear friends from school,

I miss you more than ever

when I see you do these things

as I remember

with hidden tears that I could do them too

once upon a time, now I just stare

and look fondly on

as you cross the finishing line every day

as I can barely get past the starting line up.

 

Ian D. Hall 2017