The Race 2/16/14

The ribbon is cut.
Off we go.
     Kicking off with the hind leg
         we begin the sprint.

It starts off as effortless, easy.
Our legs move autonomously
                            propelling us 
                             f o r w a r d .

Deep in the race we grow weary.
Breathing, 
     we notice the others for the first time.
Overjoyed and curious, 
                            we [pause.]

But the deafening ROARS frighten us 
                                      o  n  w  a  r  d  .

Creating competition from connection
                        faster   brighter   lighter    Fighter.
Suddenly we're chasing phrases.
                                        Meditative HIGHS
              transcendental medicines
                                                     "organic" psychedelics.

Inebriated, we stumble and stray
    altering original course to conformity.

The chase continues,
       Drunk on money.
           High on $tatus. 

We've been running for so long, 
the 
Coffee-Cocaine 
          is 
     melded
      to our blood cells.

We forget why we're running,
                             but can't stop.
Fighting cultural instinct
    we attempt to self-destruct...

Increasing pills, 
      (insomniadepressionanxietycholesterolbloodpressureobesitypain)
to e l   o   n   g ate our life.

Looking back, the world we've passed is a blur.
           We remember nothing.
           We've affected nothing.

Afraid to stop, we keep running.
Powered by monsters unknown.
Short-ness-of breath.

The demons are up ahead
    yet we don't stop running

.no one showed us how.