I returned at the weekend to my old stamping ground of Bath to take part in the 5K, all women, Race For Life organised as a national fundrasing event by Cancer Research UK. Both a privilege and a challenge to be involved, but my daughter and I came romping home in just under 38 minutes... here's to 10K next year! :)) xx

RACE FOR LIFE


Though blossom has fast faded
from blousy, greening trees,
cordoned fields are still thick
with pink –

with tutus, t-shirts, trainers;
bunny-girl lop-ears and
lipstick-painted cheeks.

We natter, hoof, trip or jog
the sponsored route of five
heart-pounding kilometres,

breathing deep for those who
continue to hold their breath,

our feet falling silent on
grass-whispered memories
of those whose advancing footfalls
are longing to be heard by those
who watch and wait.

For Nan and Auntie Sylvia;
for Dodger Sykes – a hero! –
and Phil-the-butcher’s wife;

for Mum (thankfully recovered),
practice nurse Shaw and for
steely little Jackson (bald
beneath his pirate scarf)
we run,

racing to beat every slow-
creeping/rampant disease,
our pounds raised bringing
us nearer the cure and to

the ones who weigh heavy
on our minds yet also make
lighter each lung-aching step.