2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 6 Poetry Contest// Sponsored by: Mark Toney
( 7th Place )
Written: August 10, 2025
I run the miles deep within,
a subdued race, an unspoken intent,
devoid of spectators-- no finish line,
just breath and heart, both entwined.
The shades lengthen along my path
but still a soft dawn finds its way turning into gray.
Stage by stage a tale, flaw, and goal,
rushing, steady flow.
The road stretches far, but I endure—
a counterfeit concealed, strong and pure.
through storms that howl, nights that weep,
I keep the pace, I am awake.
With each mile that challenges my thoughts,
I find a surprising wellspring of strength.
not in the roar or triumphant--
but in the stillness, I transformed!
A marathoner not of feet,
but of the unflinching heartbeat,
so when the world drifts apart,
I run the internal reach.
Categories:
marathoner, hope, inspirational, journey, life,
Form: Lyric
Gold Medal Marathoner, Susan Ashley
Never can be accused of acting rashly
Carefully crafts each word, line, and stanza
Wowing us with her prolific free-verse poetry bonanza!
Silver Medal Marathoner, Lin Lane
Time to pop the proverbial ‘Pérignon champagne
Your podium pal called your `brilliant pen a daystar bright’
Your genius poesy, dark or light, is a poetry lover’s delight!
Bronze Medal Marathoner, Mark Massey
Sonneteer extraordinaire, smooth and classy
All of your poetry – no matter the form – are unique creations
Each is a masterclass greatly exceeding our expectations!
My personal tribute to Susan, Lin, and Mark for their first, second, and third-place finish in my 2023 Poetry Marathon Contest.
Categories:
marathoner, celebration, cool, poetry, poets,
Form: Clerihew
Wish the time,
tireless marathoner,
standstill...
Be less eternal
while it lasts...
I desire, yes, that life
may continue,
non-stop...
Or stop, yes,
for appreciating only
remarkable moments...
Then continues searching
superior instant... !
Categories:
marathoner, allegory, allusion, appreciation, desire,
Form: Free verse
Such an obvious thing!
But it really is precious, and worth everything.
It's such an annoying saying to me!
Similar to the sting of a irate honey bee.
Of course, I know that!
But a worn out platitude, like a dingy, old hat.
Our moments, like quicksilver run,
Enchanting colors in the noonday sun.
I know any moment could be my last.
So, I run like a marathoner and live each day fast!
I may not be here to pen another poem tomorrow.
So, what am I waiting for~that will be both a pity and a sorrow!
3/16/2021
~2~
Categories:
marathoner, inspiration,
Form: Couplet
My countenance, a melancholy
After strange footsteps possess our balcony,
Close to my two-room apartment,
Now limitlessly a source of contentment..
I do anxious listening,
The hairs on my skin glistening;
My ears coming alive, a-twitching:
Those of an eavesdropper soon a-snitching.
A near filtering of the snatched sound,
As they keep gaining ground;
The fullest conviction that they didn’t belong to a friend.
Or if they did, who was heading for another end.
To my window walk up, risking important life
To part its blind by a couple inches;
My grimaces, summary of the inner strife
Of one inwardly wrestling with prickly pinches.
It’s a forced recreation of “curiosity killed the cat”
And Unlikelihood of soon lying on my mat:
More contortions of my face.
Like a marathoner badly ending a good race:
Several repetitions of “Who goes there?”
And you shall have to tell me, “From where”.
Categories:
marathoner, confusion, environment, hello,
Form: Rhyme
On Winged Feet
I want to fly on winged feet,
I want to blaze a trail
no one else follows
and I want to carry a message to all
so Mercury would be proud.
Muscles afire on a summer day,
I want to leave all pretenders
gasping for air in a trail of my dust
for they will all know me by my speed,
a speed they can’t even imagine.
Alberto Salazar* will be amazed by me,
for I have stolen his heart of fire and his soul,
and this path laid out is my Heaven,
and no one knows it as I.
After I beat the Kenyans in a 10K,
they will go back to their villages
to train and train again,
and those along pathways and streets
will call my name long after the races
I’ve won, to live and dream
while my journey has just begun.
*Alberto Salazar- the top U.S. marathoner 1981-1982
Categories:
marathoner, adventure
Form: Verse