Runner

You are running so fast

that’s good  

you take the lead on an inside corner

that’s good  

you pull ahead of the pack and taste the sweat of victory, salty sweet

that’s good

You are running in the wrong direction  

that’s not good

You hit a rock and slip across gravel. Your ankle twists and the dust flies up while you rush to meet it.

You watch the other runners pass

one by one and over your crumpled body

Sweat mingles with your blood into mud,

into earth

all is lost

is this not good?