Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2007

There were no meets this weekend. So in the Christmas spirit, I attempted a bit of poetry. I wish you all a Happy Holidays and that you all have PRs in the upcoming year.

The Morning of Christmas
Adapted from Clement Clarke Mooreâ€™s The Night before Christmas.

Twas the morning of Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
With evidence that St Nicholas had been there.

The high school runners were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of track victories ran thru their heads.
And I in my tights along with a cap,
Had just woken my legs up for a long winterâ€™s lap.

Then out on the lawn I arose with a clatter,
I sprang from the ground luckily no bone shatter.
Away from the house I flew like a flash,
No cars on the road and I ran on with a dash.

The sun rose slowly on the new-fallen snow
Giving the ground an unearthly glow.
Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a running club, with ten harriers near.

With a little old runner, so lively and quick,
I wondered for a moment if it was St Nick?
More rapid than reindeer these runners they came,
And the old runner shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Gouchers! now, Lagat! now, Radcliffe and Hall !
On, Black Cactus! On, Ritzenhen! On Sell, on Web and Hall!
To the front of the pack! So loudly he call
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

And then, in a twinkling, I heard from the young
The breathing and heaving of each lung.
As I looked at my watch, and was turning around,
To the front of the group St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in red, from his head to his foot,
And all I could go was wonder what was afoot.
Where was his bundle of Toys he had should have on his back,
And he looked like a runner, that belonged on a track.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

No longer was he chubby and plump, still a jolly old elf,
He was just as fit as I was myself!
I could not quite believe it and I shook my head,
Wondering how this had happened and how many pounds he had shed.

I spoke a few words, about this change,
And he smiled a smile, that seemed quite strange.
And he said â€œquite simply I am no longer a slacker,
I got a computer and signed up for Flotrackerâ€

He returned to his team and gave a whistle,
And away they all ran as fast as a missile.
But I heard him exclaim, â€˜ere he ran out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and remember to run right!"

*image from http://www.24kvintageart.com/vintage-santa-claus/258.html

Post a Comment

#7	Sarah_x December 31, 2007 at 8:49am I miss you. haha reply
#6	Marty Monahan December 25, 2007 at 6:58pm Nice! Good job Cara! reply
#5	Santa December 25, 2007 at 5:39pm MERRY CHRISTMAS reply
#4	Joshua Boss December 25, 2007 at 1:14am i will promptly be forwarding this to every runner i know! reply
#3	Joshua Boss December 25, 2007 at 1:14am i will promptly be forwarding this to every runner i know! reply
#2	Jacob_x December 25, 2007 at 12:11am Wonderful, a true masterpiece reply
#1	Cheryl Lowe December 25, 2007 at 12:10am Merry Christmas Cara! reply