the chase

i

cannot

stop running.

they will catch me

when i stop running.

the leaves beg me to fall,

slick with their fresh morning dew.

though my feet slip, i keep running, with

my beating to the rhythm of my relentless steps.

their shouts grow louder, hungrier in the near distance.

i pump my arms faster. back and forth, back and

forth. but still i hear them.

no matter how fast i run,

they will run faster.

i can’t keep going.

my lungs ache.

i slow down.

and give

up.