by Teresa Burleson

(Heb. 12:1,2)

Weary, so weary,
Of this cross-country marathon,
The runner stumbles.
There she lies
Unable to get up.
Then Lifegiver breathes
Into the burning lungs,
Into the aching tendons
And sinews.
Power from on high
Falls on the runner.
And once again
She stands,
Remembering the Forerunner,
Who is reason enough to run,
Who is watching,
Who cheers for her,
She is undeterred.
She will finish
The race 
God gave her.

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A free-lancer for over 40 years, Teresa Burleson has credits in over 45 magazines. In 2002, she received the National League of American Pen Women Virginia Liebeler Biennial Grant for Mature Women in the letters category. She is the author of The Pilgrim’s Lyre, published in 2003 and Rose Without Thorns, published in 2013.