By George A. Hancock

July 2024  

Monday begins July’s run
Complete with summer fun
Running is now very easy
As our days grow breezy.

 Yes, July’s days get hot
Slowing our daily trot
But this is a good thing
Slower adds a road zing. 

This road guy runs early
Before the sun is burly
I never feel the deep heat
That tortures road feet. 

Our July 4th is a Thursday
With vacations underway
Folks pack up and get away
Enjoying their vacation stay. 

I’m a retired running guy
There’s no travel-hassle sigh
Every day is a vacation day
Yes, I do shout Hooray!  

July brings humid days
And some mournful brays
I stay hydrated and run on
Always just before dawn. 

Hazy Lazy Days 

July’s heat is on fire
For some it can be dire
Working steadily in this heat
Is dangerous and not so neat. 

July creates hazy, lazy days
Scorching mid-day forays
Running early is so good
Running late many should. 

Last year far-away wildfires
Made smoky air for the squires
Breathing for many was tough
The smoky air does get rough. 

Staying fluid is a good thing
Collapsing does make a ding
Drinking water helps a lot
Cool water hits the spot.

Running in dri-fit clothes helps
This gear avoids the road yelps
Once long ago, cotton was king
But after miles there was a sting. 

Every day I run miles early on
Often before that July dawn
It’s darker but somewhat cool
Before the sun’s a blazing jewel. 

Summer Heat 

Ooh, ooh, the heat is on
Sometimes even at dawn
The sun bakes our roads
Creating sweaty episodes. 

Black macadam is bad
So, I’m always very glad
To run early before dawn
Before summer heat is on.   

This year, April saw heat
Warming our poor road feet
May and June grew hot
Slowing our running trot. 

I’m wearing a happy face
Because I no longer race
Summer heat slows the pace
Even for the top road ace. 

Summer races were work
Danger often did lurk
Heat stroke is an issue
Stronger than a tissue 

Always look to bright side
This runner says in an aside
Some areas are in triple digits
Melting folks into widgets.  

Christmas in July 

It’s Christmas in July days
Some say cheap advertising ways
Or, you’re starting way to soon
For others, they just swoon. 

I think this is a neat notion
Mixed with a magic potion
Hey, when our heat is on
Let’s have Christmas at dawn. 

Christmas movies on the TV
Sometimes earn an Oh Gee!
Nope, doesn’t bother this guy
Running and sweating, oh my. 

Daylight lasts longer now
So, no lights earning a Wow!
I do run by some displays
For Christmas in July days. 

This idea is a nice cool break
During days with a humid ache
Christmas is a magical time
Always worth more than a dime. 

Relentless heat is never good
It burns fast like dry wood
So, a Christmas run in July
Happens beneath a hot sky. 

Darker  

The Summer Solstice is gone
Steadily it’s a later dawn
This runner is out and about
On a darker running route. 

On July 1st, it’s a 5:49 sunrise
But on the 31st it’s a surprise
July’s last day is a 6:12 dawn
Early daylight is officially gone. 

Cloudy morning runs are dark
I use my road light for a spark
Alerting motorists, it’s just me
Out on another running spree. 

Sometimes, I spy road eyes
Staring at me and kinda wise
Critters realize I’m no threat
Just part of the road subset. 

Snakes we give a wide berth
Especially those with girth
Rattlers I’ve never ever seen
Copperheads here are mean.  

We’re back to dark early runs
Hours before the summer suns
It’s cooler so I run on free
Enjoying my pre-dawn spree.

Categories: Poet's Corner

Tags: 2024, George A Hancock