The Poem

Yesterday Angela encouraged me to go for a run. I know that must sound crazy, but she succeeded in getting me to run the very short distance of 0.15 miles. That's about a minute. After that I was beat. We agreed that I would add 0.05 miles every day and in two weeks I would be able to run one full mile. So, as agreed I ran 0.2 miles today.

One of the most valued friendships that I found over that last couple of years is that with the co-author of our musical 'RICH', Vern Thiessen. Vern and I have only known each other for two years but have grown very close through our work together. He has taught me a lot about the industry, life, and friendship and I will be forever grateful for that. Vern lives in New York at the moment and he had a chance to come visit Winnipeg about three weeks ago while I was at my worst and in the hospital. I was barely able to speak to him and he left me with a late birthday gift; a poem that he wrote for me. Seeing that I was really sick, I waited until yesterday night to have it read to me by Angela. It took only a few lines before I was in tears. I asked Vern if I would be allowed to share it with all of you and here it is:

As a footnote I would like to point out that Pheidippides was the soldier that ran the distance from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory over the Persians. He died upon arriving after shouting out the message "We have won!".

MARATHON
(FOR OLAF)

You have run

my friend

from dusty Rome

to the deserts of Vegas

like ancient Pheidippides

from Marathon

you have run

to deliver the message in your heart:

"I am alive."

Twenty six miles

Pheidippides ran

his body battered

his stomach screaming

his mouth melting

every swallow

a nest of nails

every breath

begging him to stop.

Like you my friend

he hit his wall.

But when he saw the flag of Athens

flapping in the distance

he drew air deep into his lungs

and carried on.

You have felt the wall

my friend

at the Spanish Steps

or the Luxor Hotel.

You have seen the flag of the finish line

and like Pheidippides

you have done

what all great runners do

put one foot down

then another

till the message is delivered:

"I am alive."

But don't be mistaken

my friend

you are no Pheidippides.

Oh no.

Stronger than a soldier

you are

mightier than a myth

you could race him

a thousand times

over fennel fields

and the finish

you would never

let the bliss of your blood

burst your heart

as he did

you would never

lay down at the end and die

Oh no.

No.

You will see the flag of the Forks

and you will run to it.

You will cross over the line and shout

"I am alive."

And when you have showered

and rested

and drank your fill

we'll sit down

one more

you and I

to eat cake.