'To Athing Mu and More'

A Poem Inspired by Track & Field Athletes Who Perform with No Boundaries

‘To Athing Mu and More’

Accept your gifts,
Fulfill your gifts,
And you’ll be happy forever, Athing.

Numbers tell what glorious capacities
					      you possess:
1:23:57 for 600 Meters Indoor at age 16, New York City,
								February 24,  2019;
1:55:21 for 800 Meters and Olympic Gold at age 19, Tokyo, Japan
								August 3, 2021.
48:33 for closing 400 of the U.S. Women’s Gold 4 x 400 Relay
								August 7, 2021
1:55:04 for 800 Meters, 1st-place and U.S. Record, with 54:19                  	     
        for opening 400 meters, 1:24.44 for 600, August 21, 2021.

Athing Mu, your flow in full stride
Is like Sydney’s and Allyson’s 
A wonder to behold.
For you, too, World Records are no boundaries.
Every year for you can pass beyond frontiers.
Every year can extend barriers that fall
        like the challenges you overcame in 2022.
Every year offers the space to more excel.
Every year you and Sydney and peers
	can show more of what’s possible
	for women as athletes and artists.
Every year can bring more into the Story of Running 
        that glorious, proud and splendid IT
	of marvels which God and Gods give.
Every year you and Sydney and peers
	can pile up feats for Videos-with-Music
	that grandchildren everywhere will enjoy.
        Rack 'em up! Rock 'em up!

Charlie! Eric! Nina!
Fanny! Betty! Wilma and Madeline!
Irina! Jackie! Valerie and Valerie and Gail!
Marie-Jose! Shelly Ann! Allyson!
Sydney here and coming! Mondo here and coming!
Jakob and Faith and Sifan and Letsenbet amd Yared 
          and more, more, more, here and coming!
And Athing Mu,
Records-setting artist and athlete in three Events through 2028!
Unforgettable, each and all!


					Don Paul, July 14, 2023 (73rd birthday)
					First draft July 10, 2023