Monday, April 21, 2014: The Boston Marathon
Congratulations, Boston!
Boston Marathon
April 21, 2014
5×7 inches
Except for the fact that Rita Jeptoo was the repeat women’s champion in record time, and except for the fact that Meb Keflezighi was the men’s winner, and that he was an American runner, nothing of significance happened! Well, many others completed the race, and it took courage for all of them to run the race. And it took courage for all the spectators to watch and support the runners. And it took courage for the army of people who always lend their time and energy to make the race work by manning water stations, providing first aid, setting up and taking down barricades, and all the rest that goes into this enormous undertaking every year.
Sadly, from news accounts, there was an understandably enormous police presence, but of course this was necessary after last year’s terrible events. And there was the strange situation of the man with a couple of bombs the night before the race (I heard they were detonated by the bomb squad after he was apprehended before he could do anything with them), and kudos to the alert police officers who caught him. And it took courage for the police and other security people, paramedics, fire personnel and medical personnel to be present for the race too, and they were certainly involved in the race preparations as well.
So it appears all went well, and safely. I kept thinking how sad and hard it must have been for those who were so brutally and terribly injured in last year’s race to watch this race. And how hard for their families too. And how hard for the families of those who were killed last year.
I put together a poem to celebrate Boston’s Marathon for 2014, titling it simply “Boston Marathon April 21, 2014.” It it a tribute to the city and its people, who are indeed strong.
I have two versions of this, one in 10 by 8 inches and one 5 by 7 inches. Each will be downloadable for $0.99.
Poems Copyright Daniel Mark Extrom 2014. Photograph Copyright Lauren Alyssa Extrom.
All rights reserved.
