Slap, slap, slap
The sound of my feet
Against the asphalt.

Thump, thump, thump
The sound of my heart
Within my chest.

Flap, flap, flap
The sound of my face
Jiggling up and down
At every step.

BAM!
I’m a bullet,

A lightning bolt,

An arrow
From a hunting bow.
I’m as fast as the wind.

No

I’m faster.
I cause leaves to swirl,

Trees to sway.
I pop your ears
As I pass.

I’m faster than a falcon

Quicker than a wink.
I can outrun a wildfire

Outrun a plague –
But am I fast enough to catch it?

It’s harder to overtake

Than to simply not be overtaken.
And boy, do I have the white stag!
?
Merric.
Sprinting football player
35 meter head start.
I don’t play football
But I can run.

I’m not in shape,

Haven’t been in a year.
I don’t know how to play football

Just run where I’m pointed.
I don’t play any sports
But I can run.

I leap forward

Legs pumping,

Arms at right angles,

Hands open,

Fingers tight together.

I pass everyone
Leaving them spinning on one leg

Like the cartoons.
Merric will be caught –
How could he outrun the wind?

I’m gaining on him –
At 2 meters a step

Not even a hard core athlete
Can keep up with me.

The wind rushes in my ears.
I can’t hear anything,

But I can see.
I can see him reaching the “endzone”

(or whatever it’s called).
I put on more speed
But would it be enough?

He’s 5 feet away.
I’m 15.
He’s at the endzone –
I leap . . .
And fly over his head.
He had collapsed
Right after the finish line.
?
I lost.
I’m not faster than the wind
Life ain’t no Disney show.
The original stories

By Hans Christian Anderson
Are more accurate.

But that’s not the point.

It doesn’t matter

It’s not about the end.
Forgive my cliché, optimistic, Disney-likeness;
But it’s about the journey.

Mine was meaningful.
My pride was pruned,

My dignity dashed,

My ego eradicated.
It’s all fun.
Winning doesn’t matter.

Besides,

You can’t possibly expect me

To gain 10 feet

On a sprinting football player.
This is life,
Not an inspirational movie.