When a person dies there is sorrow
it can hit you whenever it wants
in unexpected places for no reason
sorrow can be triggered by smells
you can almost outrun her
unless your loved one is murdered
that kind of sorrow can never be outrun
There’s no mercy in the Texas sun
There’s no favor for anyone
There’s no grace in its glare
There’s no respite from his stare
There’s no escaping the celestial fire
There’s no defying our Sol so dire
There’s no shade near deep enough
There’s no victory in being tough
There’s no mercy in the Texas sun
There’s no outrunning what can’t be outrun
There’s no eluding his scorching touch
There’s no denying it’s just too much
And summer is still a month away…
Salt on my lips
Arm on the door
Sun sinking slow
Like it’s begging for more
Paint on the sky
Pink into gold
Dashboard glow
Make the whole world fold
I’m driving down the coastline
Nothing in my way
Shifting into forever in this endless day
Engine like a heartbeat
Louder than my fear
Unstoppable and weightless
I was born for right here
Lines on the road
Blur into one
Wind through my hair
Like I’m outrunning the sun
Signs flying past
Names I won’t know
All that I need
Is this endless glow
Hands off the past
Both eyes ahead
That old life shrinking
In the rearview red
If this is a dream
Don’t wake me up
I’m racing the edge
Of a burning-up sky
Cyclists outrunning the approaching cyclone
Tour de France quickly captures everyone’s attention
Extra incentive to pedal faster
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Where is the real place of safety
Inside these walls, or deep within
I am a wandering migratory spirit
Below the radiance of a far-off star
From chasing shadows, a hasty escape
To outrunning anxieties in the last of the light
Even if the past may haunt us in a faint whisper
We must fearlessly go forward
Maybe a sanctuary, constructed of oneself
An inner wealth, a quiet strength
Or in a community, a shared comfort
In the embrace of kindred care
Look out, reach out, let hands connect
No fear can destroy this tapestry
Because our spirits heal in this link
Until the very end, a haven was found
© daniel miltz
YOUTH
at play
active fun
tarmacs chockablock
trikes, bikes, yikes, falling down
shed cheap tears and leapt afresh
"outrunning the sky's purple haze"
Where fire’s rage
no flame unfanned
The cinch retightened
no also ran
As horns go silent
the gate is dropped
On victory’s path
his legend cropped
Unbridled passion
distraction flees
A trophy hails
as reins go free
The end in sight
where roses wait
Ablaze in glory
— outrunning fate
(Paris Kentucky: June, 1986)
Green poodle haired dogs, female of course
Outrunning the track stars, outrunning a horse
Having their hair dyed the next day in every green color
Showing off a unique variety of glitziness one way or another
lacksidasical larry leaps lovingly through the air
making mincemeat marauders truly want to care
nine nefarious nigglebuns are trying not to stare
outrageously outstandingly outrunning marathon mare
providing pristine plots to princely priestly pree
quizzing quality quails wondering why I am free
resident ruffians reaching residual responsibility
stressing strenuous starlight studies under thee
tricky trustworthy triple treats tripping up and down the bay
understanding understudy underlings trying to have their say
visualizing various viillains we often meet along the way
‘xoecting ‘xact ‘xasperating ‘xersizes to save the day
zany zigzagging zealots zipping into the fray
A long line of waters
Deep in hearts of bathers
A lifeline of growth
Weep of salvation brought forth
Waters of life over a mile
Outrunning a thousand stile
Gifts of life in piles
Surmounting torments of viles
Dreams on waters slate
Streams of sages proliferate
Sun beam of neon flickers
Teeming waters on pickers
Wishers with panoramic views
Dreamer of waters purviews
Like well-wishers throwing coins over heels
Eye-openers on picker wheels
A river full of life
A river lull of strife
Outpouring a thousand mile
Outscoring a thousand smile
On this river of hope
A bigger dream to scope
A kaleidescope of scenery
Grandeur over tapestry
One day the said river dried
No one ever wondered and belied
Gold in pieces on the ground mounted
In the hearts of gold sprouted
Euphrates...
A river
Cold and empty are the eyes of Death.
It sees all, and all will see it.
Unavoidable, unfeeling, and unforgiving.
Thin icy fingers clutching mercilessly, effortlessly.
Wrapping itself around throats and strangling life.
None can escape it's grip.
Death hears your whimpers and screams,
Hears your prayers and pleas;
But they fall on deaf ears.
It smells your anxieties and fears;
And with just one inhalation,
Will take your breath away.
Black is it's dying heart,
That beats to an eternal rhythm;
And bleeds for no one.
Who is capable of outrunning Death?
It's feet are swift and can stride forever.
Your race against time is futile.
Whether asleep or wide awake,
It will come without warning;
And drag you down into the abyss.
How will you meet Death?
Bravely face to face,
Or cowering in fear.
Grizzly bear is outrunning the eagle
They have spotted the same catfish jump
The splish splash of the water was enormous
It will be a tasty morsel for the bear
She cannot fly off with it anyway, the bear thinks.
This catfish weighs more than she does.
Empathetic, the catfish feels terror like never before
She burrows into a cool bank, barely breathing.
Outrunning his destiny
fate to rescind
chance in the rearview
reflections within
A moment to gather
a lifetime in chase
the wind bearing transit
—alone in the race
(Dreamsleep: October, 2021)
In my dreams I am outrunning horses
They strive to catch up, whinnying and neighing
I laugh; my hair is streaming so hard in their faces.
I am now the wind, catching them up in an exuberant way
I fling them onto a mountain top with other horses, free and wild.
They nod their approval, knowing I will send a helicopter full of oats and hay.
Even though I fear horses, I wish them well.
Even in my dreams.
Outrunning his destiny,
overtaking his fate
Reprieving tomorrow
—all time to abate
(Dreamsleep: August, 2021)
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