Tags
#FWF, free write, Free Write Friday, Kellie Elmore, Khaled Hosseini, kiterunner, lesley fletcher, poem, poetry, printmaking, soul
And then I ran.
I ran until my feet were bloodied by the sand beneath them.
I ran until the air I breathed could no longer find a place inside my lungs.
Until my tears flowed desperate to escape after holding on so long.
Until my heart released the pain by beating itself up for being so broken so long
And then, I ran some more.
I ran until my muscles were raging in agony.
I ran until I could no longer discern the landscape through my sweating eyes.
Until the night fell and the moon and stars alit my way for perhaps my soul to follow.
Until at last I crumbled, wasted from my former life.
Realising tomorrow the sun would rise, the sand dunes would welcome me.
The desert would share my pain as it has so many others.
And keep my secrets, eventually leading me to my precious sea.
One of my favourite books is the Kite Runner by Author Khaled Hosseini. The last line was actually ‘And then he ran.’ I believe but I had already written the above so kept it as is.
Free Write Friday is hosted by Kellie Elmore. More posts related to this Free Write can be found HERE.
I haven’t been able to keep up with my schedule so have been unable to contribute for a while so today I find myself really happy to take part. The rules are simple and everyone can play! Personally, I am challenged by the fact there is no editing allowed. What you write is what you post. It is very exhilarating to complete and discover where my mind took me. It’s a great way to find your own way and test the courage in your soul.
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- Patchwork Composer | #FWF: Word Bank #Poem (arbiterkitty.wordpress.com)
- The Kite Runner Thesis Paper (marilynseek13.wordpress.com)
Inspiration Import 
oh Lesley. I can so relate to this eloquent portrait of human suffering. Amazing write…
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Thanks, my friend. Good luck tonight!
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Really beautiful Les, I find a wonderful analogy in your words. I am intrigued by the challenge, will be looking into as I leave your post. Thank you for sharing.
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Hi BB – even if you don’t publish until you are comfortable, these harmless prompts can be so very telling. Do give it a try. The #FWF community is very supportive of everyone.
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Absolutely a great turn on from you, I am game. Going to give it a try. You took some wind out of a touch of anxiety about publishing it.
I free write in a journal every day of my life so I know I can find the words. Just the quality I am concerned about. Like anyone who writes I suppose to some degree.
Thanks again Les.
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You do know there is nothing to fear but fear itself.. didn’t you think that one up? 😀
(most welcome)
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Laughing, I say you are correct my friend, “NO Fear!” I think you said that. 😉
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Wow! Such raw emotion, i really felt like I connected with this piece, thank you for sharing this. Hopefully we will see you at the next FWF 🙂
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Talicha – thanks for coming by even if it is Thursday 🙂 – I admire you so much for your ability to read out your poetry with such passion. Bravo. See you next time, I hope (also).
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🙂 why thank you! I’ll be there although in fashion I’ll probably be late again lol
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Hahaha! cute
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Oh my. Such passion in this piece. WOW!
‘
…back to the top to savor again…
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Sweet – thanks Kellie. I saw the prompt on FB so had a bit of mulling time without knowing it was the #fwf
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Lovely! The pacing reinforces your words. Great poem.
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Thanks Dorothy. Great of you to come by!
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I can relate to this on two levels: first, as a long distance runner. Each line speaks of an experience. But that book! A memorable one that I have passed on. It stays with you along with his second, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” Both unforgettable. I heard his interview recently for his third book. No doubt I will read it. Thanks for a beautiful poem that speaks of emotion and pain so well.
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Thanks for both votes of authenticity. I have his next book (I feel so privileged 🙂 )
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I love this line:
“I ran until my muscles were raging in agony.”
I can definitely relate this article. Very insightful and human.
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Thank you for feeling it.
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🙂
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So beautiful, Lesley! …the sun would rise, the sand dunes would welcome me — Love it! Perhaps, one has to run until… before one can realize.
The Kite Runner is a great book.
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Hi Amy. I think you are right. To have experienced physical and mental anguish allows for deeper appreciation and sometimes as a matter of survival, it happens quickly.
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Oh fabulous! Inspired and soul quenching if heart wrenching…beautiful beautiful poem based on a wondrous book.
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Wow. I am happy it carried you. That book left openings for another story didn’t it? Thanks so much for your comment. Peace.
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Wow … did you ever capture the essence of the book … read it when it first came out with my book club. This sister of one of our members was a colleague of Khaled … made it that much more compelling!
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The connection must have made the book that much more exciting – I can relate to that! Thank you. It was my intention to feel with the character. Now if only a full length novel would suddenly pop out 🙂
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I haven’t read this book yet. I think my son has it, I may need to borrow it.
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Hi Heidi. Do borrow it. I ended up reading it initially because my daughter wouldn’t be quiet about it. 🙂 and now have his third book waiting for a period of leisure. What is wonderful (to me) about his writing is the ease of comprehension of not only the story but the emotion of his characters. I like simply written books. If I have to run to a dictionary – it is not my cup of tea.
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I understand that. It’s one of the reasons I love my kindle so much. Push on the word and the explanation is right there.
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Read the book too and really enjoyed it but gosh when I started to read your entry, my first reaction was full of concern for you, phew! glad you’re ok LOL
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😀 gotcha
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You sure did! Have a good weekend! 🙂
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You too Donna. You’re a great sport. 🙂 Cheers
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I love the way you write, easy to read.. and understanding. 😉
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I write how I speak which is simply and to the point. Not lots of flowers but lots of feeling. Thanks – you have me smiling.
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Lesley – What I love about this is the message that leaving sadness and pain behind is hard. But in the end, it’s worth it.
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I was so very tempted to edit it ! – yes it is life sometimes.
Have you taken part in a Free Write Margot? It is so revealing.
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I haven’t (yet), Lesley but it certainly does sound revealing.
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I jumped in – it was as though I splashed into a frigid ocean the first time but I had attended two years of art therapy so know the process allows for personal exposure but it is very therapeutic.
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