Darren White | + Follow Poet |
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He Runs

He runs
Shoes barely touch gravel.
His breath
     shallow and fast gasps
     in mouthful gulps of speed and need.
And when he leaps,
     his calves long and graceful,
     but he doesn't acknowledge.
For when he runs
     he discharges his mind;
          sends out his thoughts;
               discards his logic;
                    bans his feelings.
When he runs
     all that matters doesn't matter
     anymore.

He runs
     And doesn't even notice
          That tears run little rivulets,
               Streamlets of oblivion,
Carrying with them
     remnants of painful nights,
          or gazing at stars
               that just didn't want to
          form themselves into
     dreams to last nights long.
But his feet kick out
     those last lost memories
     rags and tatters of thoughts.

He runs
  for today and tomorrow,
    for a life long of knowing
      that waking up means
        seeing those trainers
          stand in a corner,
            with ballet shoes,
              loved but neglected,
                decayed and discarded,
              so he runs with that knowledge,
            an awareness still painful,
          accepts recognition,
        and slows down,
      and finally
    nods.

Copyright © Darren White | Year Posted 2017

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Chris Green Date: 2/28/2017 6:08:00 AM Such a side and deep meaning piece my friend. We run to forget, we run to remember...which ever is less painful, we will see. Login to Reply Darren White Date: 2/28/2017 8:30:00 AM Chris, it is exactly that question. Why do we run, most probably to do both, and from both... What do we close our eyes for and when do we open them again?

Lisa Ricci Date: 2/28/2017 5:32:00 AM Daren this entry is very expressive. The first stanza alone tells the story of trying to escape life and reality and yes running through all madness or pain. You have expressed this state of mind well and with dignity. The formatting alone deserves recognition for shape poetry takes time to display. Well done in its entirety be proud of this entry. Login to Reply Darren White Date: 2/28/2017 8:29:00 AM You've analyzed that very well, Lisa, thank you. Thank you for your remarks about the formatting. For some poems I use that, it's important to me when there is a deep sense of motion in it, just like in this poem. I am proud of the poem, thank you :)

Joanna Daniel Date: 2/28/2017 5:03:00 AM This sounds painful, Darren, I can feel the deep pain behind this awesome write:) Login to Reply Darren White Date: 2/28/2017 5:18:00 AM Thank you Jo, yes, some things are painful :)

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 2/28/2017 4:19:00 AM - He runs to forget ... tears and pain (?) - He is loved, he does not need to run - Wonderful shape ... and touching poem, Darren - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply Darren White Date: 2/28/2017 5:17:00 AM He runs to forget... his former life :) Thank you, Anne-Lise.