No Road is Long with Good Company

By Wynn, 15, Illinois

Though the hours may be countless,

You can’t hold long with all. 

Some remain, some pass by,

But most have footprints that last a lifetime

For what is a friend?

A person, place, or thing?

Questions go unanswered, yet parting leaves a sting.

—

I once had a friend who stood by my side,

Was with my every step and kept me in stride.

Who gave me company on a lasting journey.

However grew weary as time swept away,

Who faded while I yearned to stay.

—

I once had a friend who had a sole purpose:

To protect and support as I put in the miles.

Faded, torn, worn through many trials,

For no road is long with good company.

“Just Do It,” “All In,” “Sound Mind, Sound Body.”

You did what I needed you to do.

Goodbye and thank you, my trusty running shoe.

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I was first excited and inspired to write this when I read the various prompts of the contest. Seeing something about a well-used item really hit home with me as a runner. Runners put in a lot of miles and all the wear and tear hopefully should impact the shoe rather than the runner themselves. I struggled to connect ideas of the true meaning to the mystery that revolved around my message. As for me, I believe my poem encompasses some truths about real friendships and relationships but allows an audience to understand a basic running principle: no road is long with good company.