Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WALKING MARATHON, by LOUISE LEIGHTON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WALKING MARATHON, by                    
First Line: The hippodrome was vast and cold
Last Line: Around, around the floor.
Alternate Author Name(s): Purdy, Susan Louise
Subject(s): Walking


The hippodrome was vast and cold,
A princely prize was to be won;
The people came in gaping crowds
To wager on the walkathon.

Tap, tap, I hear the shabby slippers that she wore,
With the shuffle, shuffle, of my canvas brogues,
Around, around, the floor.

Jane was thin and waxy white,
Limp as a plucked anemone,
But oh, my thoughts were far away --
A living flame was Rosalie!

I walked with Jane -- we walked and walked,
Through endless days and weary nights;
When her heart would stop, I bade it go,
For I spoke of love and soft delights.

Tap, tap, I hear the shabby slippers that she wore,
With the shuffle, shuffle, of my canvas brogues,
Around, around, the floor.

I would not see her waxen cheeks
And when she faltered in her stride,
I shouldered her like a bundle of bones,
Dreaming of Rosalie for my bride.

False love I whispered into her ears
False kisses I pressed on her darkened eyes,
She walked till glaring lights grew dim,
And only fell when we claimed the prize.

Tap, tap, I hear the shabby slippers that she wore,
With the shuffle, shuffle of my canvas brogues,
Around, around the floor.

Oh, Rosalie is a living flame,
But my heart is a hollow cave,
Resounding to the endless tread
Of tired feet within a grave!

Tap, tap, forever tap, the shabby slippers that she wore,
With the shuffle, shuffle of my canvas brogues,
Around, around, around, around,
Around, around the floor.





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