For no particular reason. . . or “Forrest Gumping it” through the parkway

For no particular reason today I decided to start running.  Well, okay, jogging.  Realistically it was like fast walk- shuffling, barely getting my feet off the ground one after the other.

So here’s what happened.  I was walking the dog, Twiggy.  We were on our usual Menomonee River Parkway trail.

There were few other humans in sight.

For no particular reason, I decided to pick up the pace.  Once I did, Twiggy must have thought, “Finally!!!” She went faster.  I tried to keep up with her.  Faster still she went.    She starting actually dragging me.

I tried to slow down.  I prayed that the good Lord would blind the eyes of anyone who caught sight of us.

I thought I might have an asthma attack.  I tried to slow down.  Then I realized I was keeping up with the Twiggster.

Please don’t think this was fun.  This was insanity.  I hate running.

When we got home, I thought I would try  “Forrest Gumping it” through a box of chocolates!  That’s really more my sport.

No chocolate in the house.

So I did what any reasonable human would do, I took a hot bath , some ibuprophen, and tried to regain my dignity.

If you happen to come across me someday on the trail getting dragged by a cute, fluffy dog, please have the decency to avert your eyes.

This will save both of us a lot of shame!

Some poetic thoughts

I am not an overnight sensation

I am not an instant success

I am more than the form of skin that defines the space I live within

Please don’t judge me by the instant you see me

please try to look at the spirit inside me that is trying to breathe free

I don’t have all the answers

I am not even sure of the questions

All I know is that my heart keeps beating, my lungs keep breathing

That counts for something

And the spirit and soul that is really me chaffs and scratches on the walls  they are forced to live, caged.

So very much inside me wants more, needs more, endless yearning to be known

I don’t have the words, I don’t have the means, there is only groaning

Longing for everything to be made right.  Everything in me and for everyone I know and love.

Everything in the world that is wrong and hurtful, I long for all to be made right.

so I keep breathing in and out.  I keep scratching on the cage. 

I am not spontaneous.  I am constant.  I am loyal.  No overnight glitz, not a one time pizzazz, I spurt, I sputter.

Some days I do strong, some days I do weak.  but all days i do breathe.   And that means something.