the middle miles

The middle miles are always the hardest

They don’t have the excitement of the first few miles
The newness of the wind rushing by my ears
The fresh feeling of my feet pounding the pavement
They don’t have the satisfaction of the final few miles
The finish line in sight
The last few steps of the race

They are just there
The middle miles
So many of them
And I just have to grind through them
Sweaty and thirsty and tired
Step by step by slogging step

Sometimes life is like that

But then
But then
Oh yes
But then

I’m closer to the finish line than the starting line
And I know there is no turning back
Because the end is near

And the crowds are cheering
And then the finish line is there
And my arms are raised in victory

And I step over the line
And I’m done
Exhausted
Satisfied
Smiling

Sometimes life is like that too