Run

August 7, 2016 by Usha Pisharody 4 Comments

I run.
I’ve always run.

Why, you might wonder.
Then again, you might not.
If you knew me.

I’ve run, before I took a baby step.
You see, I needed to get ahead –

Of what?

Well, for one-
The dogs, of war-
Nipping at my heels
Aiming for my throat.

For food too.
You don’t run for it
You don’t eat-
You might not eat anyway;
For what you gather, claim…
You give your
Starving brothers and sisters.

But my legs, they grew
Longer
Stronger
Carried me further.

Than I had ever been before.

I began to run
Then
Because I could.
Because my legs
Became my voice.
Their voice too-
My peoples’.

I run, even now
Maybe slower, for age
Relentless age, has caught up.

But I run, all the same-

To showcase-
That step in the right direction.
That an urge, for justice.
That a need, for a soul
Crying out for redemption
May find an echo
In the billion, billion
Hearts..

Who watch me
Who breathe with me
For me…
Who cheer me on!

With love.

A love that unites us
A love that far surpasses
All the hate the rest can muster…

A love for life
For the spirit within
That will run
No matter what!

On the energy
of that love…

Of Sport!

6 August, 2016

Kipchoge Keino, 1st Olympic Laurel Award

 

 

Vanderlei De Lima, marathon runner

 

 

The Sun Sculpture by Antony Howe, Kinetic Wind Sculptor

 

#RioOlympics2016 #Inspired #KipchogeKeino #FirstOlympicLaurelAwardInstitutedByIOC #VanderleiDeLima #OlympicFlameLitByVdL

Watching the live telecast of the Opening Ceremony of the Rio Olympics 2016 was a goosebumps affair. Listening to Kipchoge Keino, dual Olympic Gold Medal winner in 1968 and 1972, for the 1500m and the 3000m steeplechase; watching that video where he spoke of how, at 8 years he would run all the way to his school, of how education is the one weapon that cannot cause destruction, only create peace; of how we come into the world with nothing and leave, with nothing, so we must live with peace, love and unity; who now, at 76, lives with the sole purpose of leaving the world a better place, where he is at – providing basic amenities like food, shelter and education, for, as he says,

Education supports and empowers our youth to mould them to bring positive change and humanity, so we much motivate them!

He provides that shelter, runs a private school, giving high school education, and has a training centre for the young people of his country, to develop and empower themselves. He hopes that through sports, peace will be brought about!

Watching him speak, with the fire of his measured gentlessness was a moment out of time!

May this spirit of sportsmanship guide and lead the rest of us, as we muddle though life!

The environment-friendly message of the small Olympic flame; the kinetic sculpture by Antony Howe in the background; the suspense that built up, wondering who would light the Olympic flame – and then came Vanderlei De Lima, the marathon runner, slowly ascending the steps to do the honours!