We the Distance Runners

Judge not by the girth of our arms, weight,
Nor the aggression in our cries;
Rather gauge the rhythm of our feet, wait
Steady miles patient in our breath;

Mark more the courage in our eyes:
Lambent roots deeper with hundreds
Of mountain, valley, desert, coast
Trails winding, falling, rising, not ending
In sun, rain, hail, lightning, snow —
Thundering all as our fair country —

No matter the stakes, misses or finds,
We the distance runners go on
Brothers, sisters, friends (no foe)
A quieter fundament of mankind