The world’s oldest marathoner Fauja Singh, who was 114 years old, succumbed to his injuries on July 15 after he was hit by a vehicle while he was walking down a village road in Punjab’s Jalandhar district.The sight of an old turbaned manAll white from head to toeRunning across the face of the earthMust have come as a surprise to manyAn inspiration to few and a delight to all.Fauja Singh started at 89 – runningAnd he never stopped on his own.His legs never gave way.Running was his skinHis bread and passion, his life was running.When the honours came, he took them in his strideFor life was biggerAnd there was a sincere air about the whole thingA centenarian marathoner running acrossThe globe, stopping not for breath, and going on forever.It was a shock to discover that he was mowed down finallyNot by fate, but by a SUV near his own villageOn a crisp afternoon, back in the sunny fields of Punjab.He was 114, they say, fit for a few years more.He lives on, in the hearts of those who thinkNo mile is long enough.Who carry on, even if the dark winds are blowing. Amlanjyoti Goswami has written three books of poetry, A Different Story, River Wedding and Vital Signs, published by Poetrywala. River Wedding was shortlisted for the Sahitya Akademi award. Published in journals and anthologies across the world, including Poetry, The Poetry Review, Penguin Vintage, Rattle and Sahitya Akademi, he is also a Best of the Net and Pushcart nominee. He grew up in Guwahati and lives in Delhi.