The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner

the loneliness is real enough
caught between ideas of integrity
and life as a thief
you chose to run –
distances disappear beneath
feet flogging pavements
willingly to escape
an inequitable sentence
but in the race to glory
and its palpable fame
you recall who demonised whom
stop short of the line
and their victory – deny them access
to restorative compassion
demonstrate
contempt for the process
© 11 August 2008, I. D. Carswell

The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner
by Alan Sillitoe, 1958