Why run?

Why do we run?
to see a new view over the brow of the hill
to see inside ourselves, smell the wild air
know the trees and feel the space, the air holding us
for the joy at the end.
The people in Gaza have been running uphill for a long, long time

we need space
to run
to be
to think
to breathe
to collect ourselves
to hide
time runs as the people in Gaza strain for return

as a child I loved to make dens in the countryside with hay bales
or in the woods
as a child I loved to be a dog
as a child I loved to race my brothers
as a child I loved to read on my own
as a child I loved to wander free with friends
the children of Gaza have lost the right to wander

we protest
because we have to
because there is no choice
ideas will not be bound
2335 miles from Sheffield to Palestine
our thoughts cross in a second

we protest to protect children
to speak the truth, for freedom
to make a change
we run to support the people of Gaza

we run in this moment with the people of Palestine
action brings hope, hope creates change
voices together
we cheer for the runners
we cheer for freedom
we cheer til we’re hoarse

we cheer for the people of Gaza