Marathon Poem by Tom Courtney

Marathon starts in the sweat of night
when you twist in the sheets
like a fecund peach
Something swells inside your chest
and you know that you
have put yourself to another test
one you are puzzled to justify
And you have slipped into thinking
that now you know what pain is
because you've set the limit
You say that come what may
there'll be no worse than this
You've pulled off a coup
and taken control of life again
And you say that this is courage
And a voice says this is fear
But the seed and sperm are joined
This fetus you have carried before
Soon another heart
will throb against your own
And the moment is passed
You sigh
standing before a cool blue moon
A new life is created
You have another year
A fantasy within a capsule
and marathon ticks within