☛ We are inviting submission in the field of literature and literary theory in the form of article, book review, poem, short story, travelogue and interview for our regular April issue (Vol. 6, No. 2). The last date for submission is 31 March, 2025.

OLD RUNNER - Mike Jenkins (U.K.)

 


OLD  RUNNER

 

-         Mike Jenkins (U.K.)

 

 

The kids are imitating

Mocking as she runs around the Rec.

It’s not what a granny

Is supposed to be doing,

She should be knitting scarves.

 

They laugh like donkey derbies

Behind her failing, flailing arms.

It’s like she’s in a bad dream

Against a wicked wind gluing

Itself to every limb.

 

To them a freaks how, sideshow

From their humdrum days

When even a kick round’s a crime.

Her face is lowered, determined

To beat the taunting ground.

 

She’s orbiting the city stream,

The playground and the benches,

Dog barking at her ankles a while ;

She is the planet we will reach,

Downing sun behind the trees

 

****