Poem A Day Challenge: April 21-22

I can’t believe the  April Poem A Day Challenge  is almost over!! Here’s a couple poems from Week 3 of the challenge …

April 21, 2014

Prompt: Write a back to basics poems.

Laces untied,
dust gathered
I lost my way,
sold to slack

Excuses banned,
time to roll
Back to the path,
soul in reach

The trail ahead,
crunching sand
Just one more mile,
sole to dirt

Forget pavement,
clime each stone
Unplugged silence,
soul to earth

Inspiration: My return trail running continues to be a fantastic experience. It only seemed fitting to write about it!

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April 22, 2014
Prompt: Two for Tuesday – Write an optimistic and/or pessimistic poem

Water still flows with grime,
the air still smells of ash
Landfills filled to the brim,
while sludge oozes above

Our delicate planet,
wonders why no one cares
After giving so much,
we take it for granted

Apologies aside,
there’s time to make amends
The earth is still spinning,
but waiting for a change

We can do more than waste,
the key is in our hands
Let go of selfishness,
and consider the land

Somewhere beneath the grime
beneath years of blind eyes
Lies the chance to wake up
and see what’s been stolen

Inspiration: Earth Day!

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c.b.w. 2014

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Favorite Thing Friday: Running Shoes

About a month ago, I laced up my running shoes for the first time in almost a year. Between the overwhelming nature of my day job and the exhaustion that resulted, my daily workout became a thing of the past. Thanks to my slug status, I gained twenty pounds. Yikes.

The weight isn’t what bothered me (well, maybe a little), but rather the overall sense of feeling worn down and lazy. There’s something wrong when a little afternoon nap turns into three hours on the couch. I was fast becoming a couch potato with no motivation to get up and move.

This state of lethargy just wasn’t me. I’m not a sitter, I’m a runner! And not just a jogger on the sidewalk. I’m a trail runner that loves twists, turns, dirt, and rocks. I’m the person that runs uphill to get to a trail that skirts a small mountain. The climb stretches every muscle and kickstarts my pulse, but the view makes the “burn” worth it. I get to watch the sun set without a roof or lamppost in sight!

Tired of being “not me,” I got up and dug through the closet until I found my running shoes. I slipped them on and it felt like I had reunited with an old friend. To my great surprise, I ran a full mile that day and walked another two. Apparently, my muscles were happy to be back on the trail!

My running shoes.

In the first three weeks, I lost seven pounds and experienced a huge resurgence of energy. It’s amazing how just a little bit of exercise can make such big difference. What’s more, I really enjoy that hour of “quiet time.” It’s just me, the ground, and nothing else. No music, TV, internet, or any other plugged in distraction. While my body feels better, so does my mind.

This week, I hit a milestone of running 1.5 miles and walking 1.5 miles for a total of 3 miles. I’m well on my way to reaching my old standard of running 2.5 miles and walking for 1 mile.  With the help of my running shoes, I’ll be there in no time!

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What’s your favorite thing this week?

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c.b.w. 2014