Thought for Today
Today's Marathon Day here in London.
An unpleasant image strikes me:
suppose the journey to the Pearly Gates
looks just like the TV coverage of the marathon?
poem by Michael Shepherd

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Marathon Man
(eric carmen)
Twenty years with my brain in a book
Tryin to find out who I am
Endless nights and olympian dreams
Of a race I never ran
Someones callin my name
Its the crowd in the stands
Dont know how I became
What I suddenly am
Marathon man, keep a-runnin
Marathon man, keep a-runnin
Ive been searchin so long
But the answer is finally at hand
Im a marathon man
Wind is gone and my heads in a haze
But I must keep up the pace
Got to think about strategy here
If I hope to win the race
Someones callin my name
Its the crowd in the stands
Concentrate on the pain
Put my soul in command
Marathon man, keep a-runnin
Marathon man, keep a-runnin
Ive been searchin so long
But the answer is finally at hand
Im a marathon man
Wasting my youth
Chasing dreams, testing truth
Taking turns being deceived
And deceivin
Bound with a rope
Made of heroes and hope
Till I found nothin left
To believe in
Marathon man, keep a-runnin
Marathon man, keep a-runnin
Ive been searchin so long
But the answer is finally at hand
Im a marathon man
song performed by by Eric Carmen

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Villanelle of Change
Since Persia fell at Marathon,
The yellow years have gathered fast:
Long centuries have come and gone.
And yet (they say) the place will don
A phantom fury of the past,
Since Persia fell at Marathon;
And as of old, when Helicon
Trembled and swayed with rapture vast
(Long centuries have come and gone),
This ancient plain, when night comes on,
Shakes to a ghostly battle-blast,
Since Persia fell at Marathon.
But into soundless Acheron
The glory of Greek shame was cast:
Long centuries have come and gone,
The suns of Hellas have all shone,
The first has fallen to the last: --
Since Persia fell at Marathon,
Long centuries have come and gone.
poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson

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A Resting Needed Comes To Loom
Prolonged is this marathon,
Initiated by the budding of Spring...
And a thawing done once again,
With the dawning of promise...
Blooming within that seems not to end.
Prolonged is this marathon,
With a wish to witness and touch...
Daring an eye not to close too much,
Too soon.
But a resting needed comes to loom,
And linger,
Until...
Until,
A snore awakens from an unsuspecting nod.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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A half marathon is a good way to have a bit of fun and race against those girls and learn a bit more about them.The world half marathon is a world championship at the end of the day and it's important. I've win it twice and it's a quality event.
quote by Paula Radcliffe

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Rejoice, We conquer
They sent a man from Marathon
To tell the Greeks the News:
That Darius’ army had been smashed
His plans for conquest ruined.
Pheidippides, the runner,
in full battle armor dressed,
ran all the way from Marathon
to Athens’s temple steps.
The city elders waited there,
Fearing tidings grim.
He said: ” Rejoice, we Conquer”
It took the last of him.
These days we don’t give battle
With an army at the shore
Our enemy is cancer
Hear our army roar.
We’re marching twenty miles a day
To put that tyrant down
To hear: “Rejoice, we Conquer! ”
would be the sweetest sound.
poem by John F. McCullagh

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A Heavenly Thought
I had a thought, that if I got to Heaven
And knocked on the 'pearly gates' at seven,
St Peter would say ' Hold it there'
We haven't got a place to spare,
Not at least, until the clock strikes ten
Then we would consider you again.
Now, if you would like to take a seat
Outside somewhere, and rest your feet,
We'd definitely be able to take you through
When the clock strikes half past two.
But if by chance a 'harp' you play,
There'd be a place for you, right away!
poem by Ernestine Northover

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I'm Only Ninety Years Of Age
I applied to run the marathon,
Only to be told,
We're sorry Mr. Marquis,
But I'm afraid you're far too old.
I asked the lady in question,
Exactly what she meant,
If I couldn't get my entry card,
Their criteria must be bent.
She claimed I wouldn't manage,
Past the first mile station,
I said to her how dare you,
That is age discrimination.
She then said it's not your age,
It's the stamina that you lack,
If you ran a hundred yards,
You'd risk a heart attack.
I've fought in wars the world over,
Whilst in the royal navy,
Running a bloody marathon,
Is like eating pie and gravy.
I fought the Germans and the Japs,
We won that race with ease,
Now you're saying I'm past it,
That smacks of bloody sleaze.
Though I feel a trifle older,
Maybe plumper round the middle,
I really think that you should know,
I'm still as fit as a fiddle.
What gives you the right to say,
That I can't run this race,
I will prove you've got me wrong,
I'll show you I can last the pace.
I've paddled down mountain rivers,
Climbed all of Scotlands Munro's,
Sailed the seven seas alone,
Yet still my energy grows.
That should now convince you,
If just a little bit,
That I really am invincible,
I'm one of the super fit.
So get my entry processed,
I now think I've made it clear,
I will run this marathon,
I've earned the right to be here.
She said you talk a good race sir,
The patter you have mastered,
But looking at the state you're in,
You're just a right auld bastard.
When she told me I was past my best,
That put me in a rage,
Why would she even think that,
‘' I'm Only Ninety Years Of Age ‘'
The Shade Of Theseus - Ancient Greek Tradition
Know ye not when our dead
From sleep to battle sprung?
-When the Persian charger's tread
On their cowering greensward rung!
When the trampling march of foes
Had crush'd our vines and flowers,
When jewell'd crests arose
Through the holy laurel-bowers,
When banners caught the breeze,
When helms in sunlight shone,
When masts were on the seas,
And spears on Marathon.
There was one, a leader crown'd,
And arm'd for Greece that day;
But the falchions made no sound
On his gleaming war-array.
In the battle's front he stood,
With his tall and shadowy crest;
But the arrows drew no blood
Though their path was through his breast.
When banners caught the breeze,
When helms in sunlight shone,
When masts were on the seas,
And spears on Marathon.
His sword was seen to flash
Where the boldest deeds were done;
But it smote without a clash;
The stroke was heard by none!
His voice was not of those
That swell'd the rolling blast,
And his steps fell hush'd like snows-
'Twas the Shade of Theseus pass'd!
When banners caught the breeze,
When helms in sunlight shone,
When masts were on the seas,
And spears on Marathon.
Far sweeping through the foe,
With a fiery charge he bore;
And the Mede left many a bow
On the sounding ocean-shore.
And the foaming waves grew red,
And the sails were crowded fast,
When the sons of Asia fled,
As the Shade of Theseus pass'd!
When banners caught the breeze,
When helms in sunlight shone,
When masts were on the seas,
And spears on Marathon.
poem by Felicia Dorothea Hemans

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0403 The Medium is the Message
'I wish you could see it - it's an incredible sight -
there's this unbelievable river of people -
like a Ganges or a Mississippi -
all moving at their various speeds
according to age and infirmity and determination,
all races and colours too,
yes, a bit of strain and pain on some faces,
but such a feeling of goodwill
as I've never experienced before-
cheerier than a Hallmark card -
all facing forward, carried by the others
and superbly marshalled - the angels -
so there's every support you could imagine,
I don't know why I ever had cold feet about it,
I feel that the future is rosy...
but the present's even better....
see you soon. Oh by the way,
forget sentiment and keepsakes, all that -
sling the marathon medal in the casket. It reminds me
of that last day. Funnily enough, it's rather
similar in a way, as we approach the finishing line -
' the pearly gates' ha ha;
yes, see you soon. Time flies, doesn't it? '
'And that' said the medium, turning up the lights,
'is all we've time for this session. I hope
it makes you feel better, dear. Most of my clients
say so, they go out happier...Yes,
I'll take an Amex card...'
poem by Michael Shepherd

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Marathon
* Chorus
Love is this marathon, I'm running for you daily
And you don't know me yet but faith is all I have, see
And I'm gonnnnaaaaa
Win this race (Repeat 2x)
* Verse 1
Since I were a little girl
My eyes were fixed on you
I knew that one day we'd meet
That you could set me free
Sure diamond rings, pretty things
A piece of mind, could be all mine
O this growing love affair
Has kept me on my feet
* Chorus
Love is this marathon, I'm running for you daily
And you don't know me yet but faith is all I have, see
And I'm gonnnaaaa
Win this race (Repeat 2x)
Yesterday I had a glimpse of you
You look me in my face
And just the other day you brushed right by me
I felt you reeling in my space
Tell me, do you think of me
And can you see me form the start
I swear I said I'd wait for you
But fate might change the score
*Repeat Chorus 2x until song fades
song performed by by Kelis

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Who You Are
Someone's drinking all alone
Someone's left the TV on
I don't suppose, no I don't suppose
Someone's sleeping in my bed
Someone's let the genie in
I don't suppose, no I don't suppose
You know who you are
Who you are, who you are today
Baby's gone and died again
Taken by the tide again
And it's no surprise
She hates goodbyes
Someone's folding paper planes
Someone's on the line again
Someone's crying at the sonnet
Someone's hiding from someone
I don't suppose, no I don't suppose
You know who you are
Who you are, who you are today
song performed by by Tears For Fears

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Here goes the 116th Boston Marathon!
I am really fed up with the rat race
Almost tired & frustrated?
Darling! Please do not force this weakling
And I am so sorry as you spent a lot for me
In vain the multivitamin capsules
Five hour energy drinks & Viagra?
I'll be in the crowd if you like as a spectator!
You can take some close-up photographs
From the digital camera,
Our daughter sent from Australia.
At least we could pacify ourselves
That we have seen a true Marathon
For the first time in our life?
['We want people to know it's hard to go through something like this, but you can keep fighting and can continue to lead a positive life.'-Ed Feather]
*A humble dedication to the courageous 39 year-old Ed Feather Esq. of Framingham, Massachusetts who runs for the Marathon to honor his beloved wife, who died of ovarian cancer.My innocent prayers for the individual Poet-God with a heart to make him the winner Supremo!
nimal dunuhinga
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga

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The marathon can humble you.
quote by Bill Rodgers

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A couple of years ago I ran in the LA Marathon.
quote by Joan Van Ark

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I ran my fastest marathon in the rain.
quote by Bill Rodgers

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The fallen Maple leaf in brown colour
We both are like dumbs
Isn't it?
I see the red ants around you
in a friendly manner
And the handsome poverty
tries to be friend with me.
You have no right to ask
Why the tree bring you down?
And I cannot grumble
Why can't I fly?
My palm and your gloomy face
Give much similarities,
Scattered lines here and there
But the wealth line has disappeared
On my palm a long time ago.
I remember once an old palm reader
Predicted in the broad day light
' This crooked line says that one day
You become a pilot or a road runner! '
The old man is right as I fly on & off
in my sugary dreams and in reality
Believe me, I am a non-stop Marathon Runner!
[To my friend Jerry, sorry for the belated wishes, happy birthday to you! and hope all your dreams come true, if my marathon finishes in Australia, then I could have meet you before the life forgets my name.]
*Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.
-Charles Dickens
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga

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Bhuddia Singh
A boy, four years’ of age, by mother sold,
Whose stamina was unusual for age;
Was discovered by a coach out in the cold,
And trained to be a marathon runner.
The coach paid back sum eight hundred rupees
And bought the boy back from the hawker old;
He gave him special food; reared him with love;
He exercised him so regularly!
He knew the boy could run a marathon!
He made him run long distances daily;
The boy had pace and breathing well-suited;
And soon he set a marathon record!
He entered ‘Limca Book of Records’ fast;
The tiny star had caught world attention;
They want to make a film about his life;
The human rights committee sent notice!
The boy was sent for a medical check-up;
He suffers much protein deficiency;
His kidneys could get damaged if he ran;
The doctors told him not to run for now.
He’d run sixty-five kilometers race!
May be, it was too much for his small age;
Nevertheless, a prodigy he turned;
He’ as the cynosure of all eyes in sports!
Is it exploitation of small children?
Is it an experiment by a coach?
More medical tests will show trauma done;
Kudos to boy: his coach and his great run!
The Indian lad could win Olympic gold;
He needs sponsors and special coaching care;
One can become great, born in sufferings!
The world shouldn’t ignore plight of all children.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-8-2006
poem by John Celes

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My goal is to break three hours in a marathon.
quote by Frank Shorter

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If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.
quote by Emil Zatopek

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We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.
quote by Emil Zatopek

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