Back

Stroud Half Marathon 2009

by Edward Collier

(With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways.

I hate thee to the depth and breadth and height

Of the Stonehouse Road, when coming within sight

Of yet another mini-roundabout.

I hate thee to the level of raceday's

Endless boring route, by sun (or rain, more like).

I hate thee freely, as my thighs get tight;

I hate thee purely, for the hill on the A38.

I hate thee with a passion put to use

To drag my sorry carcase round an industrial estate.

I hate thee with a hate I seem to lose

On most ten k's, --- I hate thee with the breath

Denied me by the fumes! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but hate thee better after death.