Photo by Katie Moum, Unsplash

Head down, arms tucked, chasing shadows,
the perfect speed, perfect cadence, perfect heartbeat.
And yet, as though not moving at all,
the road seems endless.
In the distance, rocks can be heard tumbling down and
smashing on the ground.
I can feel every drop of sweat slowly sliding down
my cheek.
It smells of rubber,
tires burning up as I race down the serpentine road.
Will I make it?
My heart says yes, but my mind says no.
Swaying sideways to and fro, pushing forward
with nowhere to go.
What an exhilarating ecstasy this moment has created.
Pushing pause of life, feeling elated.
Satisfied!
So much love yet so much hatred.
Thankful, Tank full, fuel berated.

Reprinted with permission from Citizen Erased and Selected Poems by Nicholas Rafael, April 2021