Ode to an Athlete

I am an athlete. I haven't won any medals in Olympics, nor even participated in one. But on an early morning run, when my body has started talking back to me, sometimes, many a times I have carried my aching legs over the finish line on the wings of my desire alone. I have cut through water, pain and sometimes even boredom on my hundredth lap in the pool because I must. I have pushed my burning legs and throbbing lungs over the hill one more time on my bike, because I must.

 

My friends and family come to cheer me on race days. They see the grimace of pain and elation of finish on my face. They celebrate and they HiFive and they leave. But on a thousand cold winter mornings  I am hifiving to myself. On endless hot summer afternoons I am suffering defeat and celebrating success by myself.

 

I have seen many a sunrise in the meditative stillness of early morning. But even when Lord’s creation is still,  I find myself moving.
I am an athlete. In movement alone do I find peace.