and i'm running over sweet-smelling grass,
butterflies billowing in my wake.

long strides taken with short legs,
breath exploding in my chest;
i run until i can run no more.

and i stop, collapse,
feel my muscles tingle and twitch,

feel the earth spinning beneath my body,
gaze at the clouds swirling above.
energy spent, i close my eyes and

breathe in the darkness of the night,
clinging desperately to my dream as it dissolves,

and i'm awake, flexing and un-flexing my ankle,
feeling tendons stretch and creak,
almost audible under scar tissue.
and i run