A Poet!

Madison goes to a charter school that is part of a group of charter schools expanding through the country. They hosted a creative writing contest throughout their schools and Madison was excited to give it a try. She used what she knows about working hard in swimming to write a poem about running a marathon. . . Her poem was chosen to represent the sixth graders in her school and sent to the nation-wide competition. She was awarded yesterday the first place award overall for her division! (Grades 6-8). Doesn't it just make you want to run??

The Long Day

By Madison Thurber

"Just eight more miles to go,"

I thought to myself.

This was going by so slow.

I thought again,

"I cannot quit,

But really, can't I skip it?"

I trained hard,

Every day,

'Til I couldn't breathe,

But running's my way to play.

It came so fast, this long, long day.

"Just six more miles to go,"

I said to myself.

By now my stomach was ready to explode.

Sweat was dripping from head to toe

And my heart was beating so fast.

I trained so hard,

Every day,

'Til I couldn't breathe,

But running's my way to play.

It came so fast, this long, long day.

"Just four more miles,"

I said in my head,

"All I really want to do

Is jump back into bed."

I feel the pitter - patter of the rain

And watch the sun begin to set

Right now I am cold and soaking wet.

I trained very hard,

Every day,

'Til I couldn't breathe,

But running's my way to play.

It came so fast, this long, long day.

"Just two more miles to go,"

I said aloud

And lectured my legs to move,

I looked behind,

No one in sight

I was starting to feel quite proud.

I trained especially hard,

Every day,

'Til I couldn't breathe,

But running's my way to play.

It came so fast, this long, long day.

"Just one more mile to go,"

I recited at least ten times.

A big smile spread across my face

My arms were wobble,

And my legs felt like jelly,

But I still tried to keep a good pace.

I trained surprisingly hard,

Every day,

'Til I couldn't breathe,

Running is my way to play.

At last the finish line was coming my way.

I crossed it,

The big red line,

That symbolized success.

The thing that was my enemy,

I conquered by doing my best.

I stared down at the mud,

With my hands on my knees,

Then looked up to the big, grey sky.

I thought to myself,

"I had trained exceedingly hard,

Every single day,

'Til I couldn't breathe,

Running is definitely my way to play!

But it went by too fast,

This amazing day!"