The hallway, long and dark,
Echoes footsteps, like a dull bell
Ringing a dirge.
The egress beckons, urging speed,
Alas, the footsteps carry
The weight of time
Old woman running
If plodding could be considered as such
The effort coming out of her pores
Her face, glistening
Brow furrowed, lips frowning
A beauty hidden in determined wrinkles
At last the goal is reached
She pauses at the threshold
Stepping aside
A young girl runs by,
Face glistening with hope
A new year zooming by with possibilities
The old woman laughs
Such innocence in ignorance
Better not to know, her inner child says
She makes her slow exit
Relieved yet fully aware
Not her best race, but finished nonetheless

For visually challenged reader, the image shows wall art. A woman is dressed in 1950’s style. A speech bubble next to her says, ” Listen to your inner child.” There are cartoons and graffiti on the wall too.
Hello and Welcome to 2021!! What a year it has been! Yes, I know it’s only been 7 days into 2021, but if you’ve been listening to the news coming out of Washington, DC, you’ll know what I mean about this year not starting off as best as it could.
I’m still back in 2020 – not because I didn’t want to leave, but because I feel like there is still so much I needed/wanted to get done before the year changed. Alas, Time waits for no one (especially a chronically late procrastinator like me)! This poem and runfession incorporates Sadje’s What Do You See #61 (check out the wonderful responses to her prompt in her roundup here) and two of Patrick’s Pic and a Word Challenge #258 – Beauty and #259 – Hope.
Next week (or maybe this week if I can get it together) I will be back on track. This is my mantra for 2021 – “Get back on track!” Or maybe it should be “Don’t fall off the rails”….
I’ve combined my runfessions from the last three months of 2020 because honestly, there was really nothing to runfess those last few months. I did absolutely no running during that time – I wouldn’t even count the 2 mile run/walks I did here and there. I didn’t even really think about running. The Spartan race that I had signed up for in October was cancelled and that was in it for my motivation for 2020. So that’s my biggest runfession for 2020!
I’m hoping 2021 will be the year I get back into running. I’ve already signed up for 2 Spartan obstacle races – a sprint and a stadion – something different to break up the running a bit. And I’m looking to do at least 1 half marathon. Of course, this is all pandemic provisional.
I couldn’t decide if I identified more with the old woman running or the young girl running in the poem. How about you? We’re 7 days into 2021, yet I’m wondering if 2020 has decided to hang around…
©️ 2020 iido
nice to hear from you dear retired runner, hope this year brings you more opportunities to run, for the kids to return to school, for Biden to heal your country … so much to do!
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Happy New Year, Auntie Kate! I do not envy Biden’s “to do list” but I am hopeful that things will get better very soon.
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me too, take care precious!
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I’m the old woman running… ‘if plodding could be considered as such…’ 😉
Here’s hoping 2021 will be kinder to us all, but what a start. I really couldn’t believe my eyes at the events on Capitol Hill.
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Oh goodness, yes! It seemed like something out of a movie! Time is running out, though – January 20th will be here soon enough. Hope the new year has been more uneventful in your part of the world…
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Just the usual ‘nonsense’ here… massive corruption, power outages, virus still on the rampage… but it’s a beautiful country and a beautiful day 🙂
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Scenery and ambiance can make us forgive just about anything 😂😳 Hope you’re getting to enjoy your beautiful day!
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I am, thank you. Lots of nice writing to do. Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Irma 🙂
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Love the symbolism of your poem Irma. The new year has some surprises in store for us. I hope it goes well ! Thanks for joining in the prompt
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Thank you so much for adding my poem, Sadje (despite the lateness)! I hope this year has better surprises than last year. We can only move forward….❤️
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You’re welcome Irma. It’s always a pleasure. I hope that this year is better for us all.
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Pingback: What do you see # 61 – A Roundup – Keep it alive
The shadow of 2020 still looms ! Happy New Year, Irma! I felt your verse was about you and your daughter…though I wouldn’t call you “old” ever!! Lol
Love your poem. Hope to see more of your writing in 2021.
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Happy New Year, Punam! This poem was about me and my daughter and also about the transition between the new year and old year. It’s hard to not feel old when my daughter is growing taller than me and seems to have all the energy that I have lost. 😂😱
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I know that! My daughter too is taller than me and my son almost my height! I don’t like the idea of growing old right now! 😂 Sigh…
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Lol. I’m definitely – and contentedly – the old woman running, wrinkles and all. Every step you can take feeds your soul and frees you from this crazy world.
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That’s a great sentiment, Contented Jane! 😍Running can be so freeing and a great stress reliever.
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i hope 2021 will give us the chance to do more out door activities. i am not a runner like you but i run for fun and exercise and i so miss it…i miss the road run😂😂
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Yes, I’m glad we can still exercise outside without masks. Hope you’re able to do other activity for fun…
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