Middle-Night

In the starlit dark of night
i run
in lane three.
it's blue,
and i am alone and free
just me, the music,
and all those beautiful constellations.
no hills or heat
the difference this makes can't be overstated.

the crescent of a yellow moon
shines above the silhouette
of giant mountains to the east
i love those mountains
they make me happy
and running in their middle-night shadow
is strangely inspiring.

the faint scent of horses
and a cool updraft
greet me on the north.
hay and earth...it's a good smell
i chase my lengthening shadow round the bend
notice my form
relax my arms, lift my head, un-tense my shoulders.

the great expanse of the valley twinkles
all along the west
it's brighter here
i grab my water as i pass the bleachers
and count out loud as i complete another lap

the south end quickly passes
i'm back along my friend east
it's my favorites stretch

twelve times i repeat the sequence
before running to my home.
down the stairs
across the creek
i pause the music to hear the water
it's one of my favorite sounds on earth
too dark to see
but i know the beauty that lies below
know it well.

today i don't hit any wall
no mental, emotional or physical barrier
i wait, expecting it, armed with positivity
to fight
but it never materialized.
it's a gift i know i won't always have,
but it was nice, this time, to run
and feel free.