Author Information
Marathon man
Today is Marathon Sunday
I always hoped that one day
I could be more than a spectator
Nothing to me would be greater
Than to participate in the race
But here's the problem that I face
My legs!
I like my legs very much
Over 26 miles!
Why would I subject them to such
An ordeal?
That's how I feel
And not only that
I'm too fat.
Any other questions?
Did you hear the one about the dumb blonde?
She was on a training run for the marathon
She ran far until she got to a river
There wasn't any bridge to cross
She noticed another dumb blonde on the other side
She asked 'Hey, can you tell me how I can get to the other side?'
The other dumb blonde replied
'Um..wait a minute. You ARE on the other side!'
I apologize to any dumb blondes who are offended.
I know some smart blondes.
These blondes just happened not to be smart.
It could happen, right?
With the utmost respect, I
With the utmost respect, I think this poem could be interpreted as overtly racist. I have read many of your poems, although I do not comment, and I usually comprehend your sense of humor; but this poem crosses lines that just don't need to be crossed on a site like PostPoems. This is not criticism of you, personally; I have neither that right nor privilege.
J-Called
Thank you very much…
Thank you very much for your comment. The thought this poem can be interpreted as being racist has definitely crossed my mind and I gave much thought to not posting it at all. Although it was not my intention, I can understand your criticism. Why did I publish it, then? The honest answer is I don't know. I thought it was somewhat humorous, I guess. Your thoughtful comment has made me re-think the whole thing. I'm not going to delete it, but am in the process of heavily editing it, hopefully to our mutual satisfaction. Thanks again for your feedback, it's greatly appreciated.
That is a very gracious
That is a very gracious reply, and I deeply appreciate the courtesy of your response.
At the beginning of my senior year in high school, more decades ago than I care to admit, a racial remark. made casually in the lunchroom, ignited a full out riot which required police intervention in our small rural village. Once that had been quelled, a good many of us students became pro-active and realized that honest freedom of speech could sometimes result in hurt feelings; or, even worse, in the eruption of violence, either individually or by groups. I had been bullied for the two years prior for being deemed as "different," so I knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of the unrestrained exercize of "free speech." I leanred quickly that not every thought articulated by the brain deserves to be pronounced by the mouth, or published by the pen (or the laptop, or whatever). We students placed the peacefulness of our high school campus above the need to enjoy our first amendment rights.
That is why I made my original comment. While I respect your right to post whatever poems you wish, I also think that PostPoems is a community and not just a posting site, and for the sake of the community, not everything that wants to be said needs to be said.
And if this comment is too long, too verbose, or causes you offense in any way, please feel free to delete it. I consider the ability to comment as a privilege, not a right, and you have the final decision as to what comments remain attached to your poems.
J-Called