Student Publishing Program ::

Jenna Tobey

Run Free

My feet beat the ground.
Pebbles fly from beneath my shoes.
A dust cloud rises and falls behind me.
The road shoots out from under me.

My gaze scans the horizon:
Sheep run along the mountain's ridge,
Cattle graze the fields,
Horses play about the hills.
I soak up the land as it passes by.

I hear the sound of water rushing over stones,
In a hurry to get downstream on its journey to the sea.
It lands hard on rock, crashes, and rambles on:
Music to my ears.

The sun beats down on my shoulders,
My arms are cool with sweat.
I can taste the saltiness above my lip,
The good taste of hard work.

There's the grassy smell of sheep droppings along the road
as the farmer herds his flock alongside me.
A wave, a smile, and his rumbling tractor, barking dogs, and braying sheep
disappear into the next paddock.
But that smell, the river's music, and this valley view stay with me.

As I run down this remote track,
I can think my thoughts, flooding my brain to jumbled fullness,
Then clear my mind, and yet again let it wander,
like the singing river beside me.

My legs run free as far as I choose,
My thoughts run free, as far as they will.
And the river keeps me company.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2010 EDITION]