John Ciardi - the right way to run away
Someone fast and someone slow
Ran away a year ago.
Someone fast- let’s call him Jack-
Ran so far he ran right back
He was so fast that he ran away
And got home back in one day
Someone slow- let’s call him Joe -
ran and ran but was too slow.
He still had all of his going to go
He tried he did, he ran on and on
But he was so slow he never got gone.
He ran for hours, and maybe more
But he never went out the door
He ran and ran and when at last
He stopped- why, there came someone fast,
And that one - yes, his name was Jack-
Had run so far he had run right back.
So there they were - slow Joe, fast Jack
Back in the house in time for a snack
And a game or two. And what I say
Is: if you have to run away -
Be like Jack or be like Joe,
Be someone fast or someone slow:
Run so slow that you never go
Or so fast that before you know
You’re ever gone, you find you’re back
in time to have a little snack
and play a game - like Joe or Jack.