Famous in his mind

Upon the realization of his fame, wherever he had spent time, plaques were erected. He went through Starke and on that asphalt track, a single hurdle with the inscription, here lies the hurdle that he tripped upon in 71. As he made his way in Monticello, upon the far fence down the hill, here was the spot he touched in 64 when he outran Jimmy Pafford and the entire third grade. In Trenton in the end zone, here he caught his first touchdown pass. Over in Perry, this is the spot he finished his fastest 10K. It was wonderful for the time, this recognition of every little thing. But before long, the fence was torn down for a wider road, the hurdle was moved into storage, and after fifteen minutes, all the plaques had faded away. And again, he sank back into obscurity. He had his moment of fame, it came and just as the last hurdle in the 180 yard race, was forever forgotten.