By George A. Hancock

January 

Sometimes with a sad cheer
We begin another New Year
To some they’re growing old
While others will run on bold.

Monday begins the 2024 year
It’s new, fresh, and if we adhere
To sound principles, we are good
And not a chunk of frozen wood.

We made it to the 2024 New Year
Now that does deserve a loud cheer
These days so many are checking out
So early, sometimes it seems a rout.

Good health and fitness always wise
Not taking care leads to a capsize
If not on track, January is the time
To begin anew since it’s prime.

January runs paint a new scene
Yes, the grass may not be green
But, January begins a new page
They’re blank now for every age.

2024 Log Book

A New Year, a new log book
These are worth a hard look
Every recorded run is there
With fresh data to compare. 

Every year builds on the last
Log books relive our past
Issues are noted on the page
Achievements are the rage.

Log books record the sights
Which create run delights
The weather is noted too
With skies not often blue.

Mine date back to 1992 
So yes, I do have a few
Before that a calendar page
Noted runs for this road sage.

Online data is used by a few
But log books offer a clue
For runners looking back 
To improve the run attack.

January Cold

Lately, winter has been mild
Pleasing this aging road child
Sure we have January cold
But our weather does get bold.

For me, 51 years on the roads
Pursuing my running episodes
I get to view great road sights
Often filling me with delights.

January’s cold creates a sight
Sometimes a windy icy blight
But lately, resembles the thaw
That melts my frozen road paw.

Lately, a snow pack is rare
Temps swing up on a dare 
Removing snow rather quick
It’s a Mother Nature trick.

Tolerate winter and run on
Eases one near a spring dawn 
January’s cold doesn’t last long
Listen for that spring song.

January Daylight 

Steadily, our daylight grows
And now we can see our toes
The Winter Solstice has passed
We know this light will last.

Daylight is a good road friend
We’re sad to see the light end
But, daylight’s on the move
Improving our running groove.

Sure, we face the January cold
Often this weather gets so old
More daylight helps our cause
We run outside without a pause.

Evening daylight nears six o’clock
The darkness no longer has a lock
We still must run with a wary eye
Avoiding a tripping, tumbling spy. 

January daylight is a welcome event
This extra road light does prevent
Serious messy issues out on the road
As we move toward our spring mode.

On A Winter’s Day 

The runner lowers his head 
Into an icy blast burning red
January’s winds are strong
Swirling their chilly song.

Then, a thaw in a few days
Melts our January roadways
The wind is a gentle breeze
And we run along in ease.

January still has snow fall 
But lately, it never grows tall
Sometimes the roads get bad
So we run slow on this footpad. 

A clear January day is first rate
The sun is higher on any date
More daylight is a bonus prize
This light always a sweet surprise.

Yes, we run on a winter’s day
Steadily earning our fitness pay
Runners are a healthy breed
Run every day is our creed.

Categories: Poet's Corner

Tags: 2024, George A Hancock