By George A. Hancock
December 2023
Friday begins December’s run
31 days filled with Christmas fun
Those dazzling, twinkling lights
Provide endless running delights.
December’s weather is often fickle
Warm runs then a frozen icicle
Awaits runners on the local road
Pursuing their daily workout mode.
Yet, December’s Christmas displays
Highlight our road-running days
These lights illuminate our path
While easing that cold, dark wrath.
During December we often reflect
Our running goals we often inspect
Was 2023 a good or a so-so run year?
Runners analyze what we hold dear.
Christmas is generally a happy time
It’s time away from the regular grime
That so many people face every day
So, we are grateful for Christmas play.
Before the Plow
I run early in the morn
A habit that has me torn
I’m an aging road guy
And the wife asks why?
I understand the concern
But over the years I did learn
About running the local roads
Avoiding those nasty episodes.
This is mainly a wintertime thing
When running before the birds sing
My whole run is in the December dark
With icy patches spoiling the early lark.
Yes, in December I’m out before the plow
Running along snowy roads asking how
And why I do this every year without fail
Sometimes running in a strong winter gale.
I’m considering beginning my run at seven
Perhaps adding more daylight is like heaven
Then, run early again as our daylight grows
Streaming down in neat tidy warm rows.
Christmas Lights
December runs are very dark
Often spoiling the early lark
However, those Christmas lights
Provide miles of road delights.
Elaborate business displays
Illuminate my roadways
Creating a December smile
As I finish the next mile.
Decorated homes are great
Running past is first-rate
Windber lights up the street
Thrilling this road athlete.
Graham Avenue lights are on
Even before December’s dawn
Running this main street is nice
Run here is my Christmas advice.
My December light run flows on
Towards the new 2024 dawn
Christmas lights ease the dark
Before I put my run in park.
Christmas Cookies
Christmas cookies are a treat
Delighting this road athlete
Eating them now one by one
With coffee, milk, or all alone.
Of course, one never eats all
At once or you’ll hit the wall
Weighing a good Christmas ton
And running becomes less fun.
Eat Christmas cookies with care
Enjoy the varieties but beware
Moderation is the preferred key
After your late December spree.
Do I have a favorite cookie type?
All of them say I as I slowly wipe
My mouth and beam a big smile
After finishing another road mile.
December runs are always fun
Even without the warmer sun
It’s Christmas and cookie time
As outlined in this new rhyme.
Christmas Snow
Some folks dream white
And not due to the bright
Nostalgia rules this day
As Christmas is underway.
Some like Christmas snow
It adds to the seasonal show
Last year Christmas was white
But often we skip this delight.
I prefer running dry roads
For me it’s safer run episodes
Road crews generally are off
Meaning a snowy day payoff.
Sure, the view is always nice
By hitting a patch of snowy ice
Is never fun on Christmas day
During my early road play.
I deal with the day’s scene
Running on white or green
I can live/run with either
As Nature takes a breather.
Categories: Poet's Corner
Runner's Gazette 
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