Running Scared

For as long as I could remember,
I was running scared.
No one to run with,
So looking back I did not,
Even though my body wanted to.

Running scared, I’d pick up the pace,
At least until I felt self again.
That only lasted for a moment.

Running scared, I did not think to stop.
My only thoughts were to run.
I just didn’t know where I was running to.

Running scared, with all my baggage,
So afraid to leave something behind,
And still picking up more things along the way.

Running scared, my body ached;
With love, with fear, with agony.
But I continued running.

Running scared, the winds grew stronger,
Yet whenever I looked down,
My legs were still moving…running.

Running scared, I had time to think.
After running, and running and running….
I realized:
I had already won a marathon,
But I did not wish to stop.
I’m running somewhere,
Running scared, no more.

By Jerrel Baker 2009