Micro Review of “How to Run”: a Poem by Courtney LeBlanc
Reading Courtney LeBlanc's poetry is like reading an artfully written diary: it's casual and intimate yet also deliberately crafted. I enjoyed LeBlanc's style when I read Exquisite Bloody, Beating Heart and her latest collection Her Whole Bright Life brings more of what I love about poetry to the page. Her writing feels personal and reflexive, which helps me reflect on aspects of my relationships with romantic partners, family, food, dogs, and my body.
As an athlete and runner, I was particularly drawn to the poem in her collection titled "How to Run." She writes, “invest in good shoes, sweat-wicking clothes and a quality sports bra: trust / me, it’s worth the cost,” which, I believe, most athletes with breasts can confirm.
Like any good piece of literature about sports, it goes far beyond just the visceral details about the sport: the poem's narrator runs for mental health and to forget a person haunting her heart. She writes, “Wake rested and ready, / your body craving movement, your mind / clear and unencumbered by any thoughts / other than today’s route.” This left me taking a deep breath, feeling ready and meditative, conjuring those crisp early morning runs.
Running, in this poem, is a choice and a compulsion and an identity. Each word, image, idea relatable for a runner or any athlete.
Enjoy “How to Run” in its entirety at perhappened. Or, better yet, enjoy LeBlanc’s entire collection Her Whole Bright Life from Write Bloody Publishing.
Happy National Poetry Month 2023!
