By George Hancock
September 2024
September days are here
Amidst a loud happy cheer
Summer 2024 was very hot
The heat slowed our daily trot.
Sunday begins September’s run
But sadly, with a shrinking sun
Daylight steadily dwindles away
With skies that often appear gray.
Monday the second is Labor Day
Sadly, the last summer holiday
As Autumn begins a season run
With colors that truly do stun.
September often stays warm
So outside folks still swarm
Enjoying an early fall trot
In the season few boycott.
School events and sports thrive
Our Autumn days are alive
Fall festivals and foods delight
From the morning to the night.
Soon, our road days will cool
We run admiring the jewel
Existing alongside our road
Creating our Autumn episode.
Autumn Arrives
September 1 arrives on Sunday
We find autumn on the way
Meteorologically it’s the first
A new season ready to burst.
This runner is out early on
Running before the new dawn
It’s dark and remains this way
Until a next year spring day.
Early September stays warm
Despite the birds in a swarm
These birds are on the move
Anticipating the cooler groove.
My cool running gear is ready
As the temps remain steady
Long term is a warmer fall
So, the run is never a crawl.
Fall festivals dot our new days
As folks visit on the byways
The apple crop is now ready
Their taste is always heady.
It’s fall says the calendar page
We’ve entered the autumn age
Yet, our running days see sun
So enjoy this early fall fun.
Apple Days
Apple days are here
Amidst a crunching cheer
Listen to that happy din
The apple crop is now in.
Apples fuel my autumn run
I eat them till they’re done
Dicing apples in cereal’s great
With peanut butter, first rate.
Diced apples and raisins, oh yes!
A delicious fall taste, I confess
Of course, homemade apple pie
Really catches this runner’s eye.
Back in the old road racing days
Apples were eaten in many ways
In an autumn fruit salad, Oh Boy!
Much better than any Chips Ahoy.
Homemade applesauce earns a smile
So delicious after a hard autumn mile
Using local apples is a delicious key
They flourish on our orchard tree.
Apples will last this whole season
A point that gives me a reason
To sample all the apple brands
Harvested across our fall lands.
Autumn’s Chill
I’m an early morning run guy
I run beneath the pre-dawn sky
By late September it gets cool
So warmer gear is the new rule.
My seasonal road gear is ready
Within reach so we run steady
Staying weather alert is wise
Since weather’s in disguise.
One day cool then it’s warm
As winds create a leafy swarm
Since morning runs are a thrill
I’m ready for the autumn chill.
Our summer was very, very hot
Slowing even the morning trot
Maybe September stays warm
Before the temps conform.
Last fall, the temps were nice
There was no fear of road ice
I ran every morning in shorts
Very comfy without retorts.
So, the run continues on
Long before the new dawn
Soon the colors will explode
Creating a visual overload.
Fitness Runner
Started road running in the ’73 year
This sport I enjoyed minus fear
I learned early how to pace
Even wore a smile on my face.
Raced from ’76 to the 2017 year
Then eased away without a tear
Now I’m a fitness running guy
Mostly out in the pre-dawn sky.
Compressed back nerve issues
For some requires many tissues
Had two surgeries that worked well
But the whole back’s not swell.
Misdiagnosed over the years
Can earn some raucous jeers
But to me that’s a closed gate
My Pittsburgh help was great!
Seven years since my last race
I left happy not in disgrace
These days I daily run on
As mentioned before at dawn.
Entry fees did get out of hand
Saving fees with my fitness stand
Through the four seasons I run on
Enjoying this lifelong marathon.
Categories: Poet's Corner
Runner's Gazette 
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