Running In The Gym

I see earnest people jogging
Running to the gym
And then I see them running
They are running in the gym

Where are they running?
Where are they going?
Are their minds racing?
There's no way of knowing

Are they running from their past?
Or chasing youth which will not last?
Or running to their fit future self
A mirage of fitness and health

Where will all this running end?
Why did it ever begin?
Let me in on the secret
The thought wipes grins, makes me grim

When I walk past the gym

I want to run away

I know I ought to be there

I really must - another day!

Now I swim back and forth
But I'm not in the open sea
I'm just in a huge swimming pool
But that's okay by me

But maybe runners think the same
That I'm playing a silly game
That swimming back and forth is funny
I'd be better off earning money

A running machine, a rowing machine
And a tiny towel to wipe it clean
Jim's answer to, "Where have you been?"
"I'm fit. Try it!" I saw him coming

At the end of life, how many will say
I didn't go anywhere today
I didn't have to dress to impress
I did my thing - that's my success!
-ends-
Angela Lansbury. Copyright. Tuesday 21 Aug 2019.