The Runner

Amidst the fog I toil while the world beyond still sleeps Except to the eyes of the occasional streetlight I feel invariably invisible-- I am no longer human. Running A creature chasing for the sake of necessity Seeking to satiate the hunger every being’s belly was born with But few will ever will themselves to satisfy-- I am human again. Running My heels moan with every blow of the unforgiving pavement Angrily echoing against the narrowing walls of sneering pines Begging the Man in me to succumb My will flickers thin. Void of breath to feed the fire My will flickers thin. The teeth of winter gnashing through My will flickers thin. Then for an instant-- a flint of consciousness rekindles My will flickers thin but still my will it flickers! Running With grinding ribs and gritted teeth I dig beneath my anguish Suddenly my instincts roar and war against my weakness Like famished wolves to flesh I hasten And vanish into night.