12 Mile Road March

Every Morning wakes up
And gears up
To carry a load
Under the searing sun.

The first few miles, okay
Encouraging you on your way
Run to one light post, walk to the next
Pacing with effort and zest.

Thank god for your Water Canteen
And a pack of Saltines
Helps keep you moving
Fifth or sixth mile grooving.

About this time
We break off into our own pace
Some faster than others
Will finish sooner than me, brother.

The Sun reaching its zenith
Wishing my soles were wider width
Feet start to go numb
Greeting the pavement with rump-ba-bum-bum.

The scenery is beautiful
Even in July, nature is full
Wild greens flowering the trail
The Road march seems less stale.

Mile eight or nine
And what do I find
My battle buddy Johnston complaining
Her will is draining.

Wanted to tell her to shut-up
She'll entice me to give up
Just as I pass on her left
Energy becoming bereft.

But I keep going
Movement barely flowing
Feels like running in place
Struggling by the tenth mile losing face.

Four hour standard
Is no easy task
At 5' 4" to pass
40 lbs can retard.

Bdu's sticking to me now
Rucksack bumping on tail-bone, owe
The finish line is the horizon
Out of the corner of my eye, a deer flies on.

Not thinking anymore of the road march itself
But a hot shower and breakfast
Missing the dining facility
A cornucopia of plenty.

One of the few things keeping me going
Is the wind at my neck blowing
Gently pushing me along
As if in a Wind Song.

Greeting peers important to me
Need to be a part of something more than me
Finish line greeting me at 3:45
Alive.