Chasing Dreams Copyright © 2008 Barry Gardner

I'll mount the rostrum feeling proud
To take the plaudits of the crowd
Standing there with my head bowed
Though that's not for a week or two
There's lots more training still to do.

But the sun beats down, my mouth is dry
My eyes are wandering round the sky
Tendon, hamstring, stitch and cramp
All try my sporting urge to damp
As on and on and on I run
To beat the best I've ever done.

Perhaps with my advancing years
It's guaranteed to end in tears
With a heart attack for recompense
This won't appear to make much sense
As on and on and on I run
To beat the best I've ever done.

Not far to go. Come on he calls
if I had the strength I'd answer Balls!
I fight for breath, I give a cough
I wish that he would bugger off
As on and on and on I run
To beat the best I've ever done.

So on I go with aching limbs
The end will never come it seems
Into the straight my teeth are clenched
I kick for home with singlet drenched
As on and on and on I run
To beat the best I've ever done.

He counts me in both loud and clear
But what he says I cannot hear
Across the line, onto the ground
Have I those extra seconds found?
And will he slap me on the back
For my greatest run upon the track

??????????

but instead he murmurs looking sad
You'll never beat John Bakers dad