By George A. Hancock

February 

Thursday begins February’s run
And steadily winter’s nearly done
The winter season is only so long
Soon we’ll hear our spring song.

February 2nd is Groundhog Day
Celebrated heartily out Punxy way
With events and even road races
Creating numerous smiling faces.

The Super Bowl follows on a Sunday
Ending a season from a July day
This year the 14th has two ways 
To remember mid-February days.

The 19th has presidential strokes
And for many no day-off jokes
Yet, most of us are on the run
Seeking any late winter sun.

This year, we have an extra day
The 29th falls on a Thursday
We’re running in a Leap Year
Feel free to utter a Cheer! 

February Roads 

February dawns wintry cold
Early morns are for the bold
The dark covers the road scene
Which surprisingly is less mean.

My February roads are bare
And I’m finding this less rare
Our winters are growing mild
Pleasing this older road child.

February 2015 was a bad year
Although, I ran without fear 
I had six sub-zero morning runs
That tried freezing my buns.

The 24th was a -18 F morning run
Long before the dawning sun
My new sub-zero record run
I asked, is Mother Nature done?

Last year, February was unreal
A milder month the big deal
I ran in shorts on 12 days
Despite no sun on the byways.

Overall, my winter runs are mild
A few morning runs are wild 
Each season is just so long
As Mother Nature hits the gong.

February Daylight 

February grows more daylight 
Always a welcome winter sight
Every day we see more light
Increasing our running delight.

There’s more evening light
For now, erasing the dark fright
Later on, we see an earlier dawn
As E.S.T. fades away and is gone.

The runners out on the roads 
View these seasonal episodes
They know the next season
Approaches for a good reason. 

Now, on a clear morning run
I view the new dawning sun
Running east is pure road fun
We realize dark winter’s done.

Soon, the growth cycle begins
As our Mother Nature spins
Into the next season with sun
And late February daylight fun.

With daylight I can see my shoes
This daylight chases wintry blues
I smile and continue running on
Knowing I’m near the March dawn. 

An Extra Day 

February ‘24 is a Leap Year
Do many hold the 29th dear? 
Or, is this just another day
To run out on the byway? 

An extra day is always nice
So, here’s my road advice
Don’t waste this extra day
Run free and yell Hooray! 

I have 13 Leap Year days
During my long run ways
1974 was my extra day first
Now in’24 it’s a run burst.

Maybe a boost in road runs
Numbers under these 13 suns
February 29th is a Thursday
And March follows the next day. 

On this extra day I will run on
Towards the nearing spring dawn
Soon, color returns to our roads
Promising delightful spring episodes.

On a Late February Day 

February is slipping away 
Revealing a new March day
Late winter is winding down
All across our thawing town.

So, on a late February day
We recap our winter foray
Outside running wasn’t bad
Mild winters make one glad.

Snow and ice covered the road
Creating a slower run episode
Maybe not as much fun snow 
Hmm, I’m not part of that show.

I tolerate winter and run on
Often viewing the next dawn
D.S.T. begins in a few weeks
Daylight is what many seek. 

Another winter in the log book
Upon review winter is a crook
Robbing us of extra daylight
And a warm temp delight.

Yet, each season is just so long
Is this runner’s daily song
Patience is a running trend
With great results at the end. 

Categories: Poet's Corner

Tags: 2024, George A Hancock