Villanelle of the Runner Slowly the runner's pace slows Leaping past you around the block. You do not know where the runner goes In spring young couples kiss and pose. You cannot hear their lovers' talk. Slowly the runner's pace slows. Sidewalk tables and on each a rose, In cement an angel drawn in chalk. you do not know where the runner goes This year's lady in next year's clothes, Next year's shoe in last year's sock, Slowly the runner's pace slows. In your blood the rain of childhood flows. Twice a day wrong rings the broken clock. You do not know where the runner goes Ever more beautiful the flower grows, Ever more steady the circling hawk. Slowly the runner's pace slows, Though you do not know where the runner goes. Eric Yost ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html