Ulladulla Fun Run

(Easter Sunday 2006 - Blessing of the Fleet, Ulladulla)

bright autumn sun warms
harbour parking spaces
trestle-table procured
runners like cars collecting
at early morning traffic lights
stretch out the minutes
idle a conversation
change down for action

red shirted Ulladulla rats
bodies honed by discipline
sinewy and tough more weathered
than the decorated fishing boats
pit against fresh young limbs
eagerly chattering but not so seasoned
their smooth clean cut lines
unknown measure to the task

green light - and away
fast movers quick to tackle
the filter at the gate
while the cautious well heeled
slow to make the grade
watch the front line disappear
into headland track and bush
then the turn before the marshal

challenged by a female back
“If you can read this you are losing”
sends the body to overdrive
the corner rounded to a sighting
of stolid rat in steady stride
sufficient time to out-maneuver
show no mercy, hold the pace
down the pavement to the park

then everyone glad to be home
bodies dripping and talking fast
over-run or not, the run now over
fun remains for those with fuel
a red red-rat shakes hands
polite enquiry as to age
seniority justifying position
to next rat assembly invited

and the fleet bobbing in the background
unduly clean in their church best
bottoms slapping wet
still waiting for their blessing

© Richard Scutter 10 May 2006



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The Ulladulla Rats a local running group with a red shirt uniform.