Running Till I Can Run No More

Running through the forest
bare feet pounding the ground
ebony hair flying out behind me
tan arms near my sides
...
Chest heaving
“Run”
my mother said as she was murdered
“Keep running till you can run no more”
...
I must run like the deer
but swift and sure I am not
I trip on a root and pick myself up
continuing to run
...
Trees dash by
dirt is kicked up
startled birds dive for cover
...
I started before dawn
now it is close to dusk
and even though my body threatens to collapse
I keep on running
...
Danger gives the weak the strength to survive
I will survive
so I keep on running
...
The sun is gone
and even though darkness closes in I keep on running
the moon appears
full and milky white
...
An owl hoots
a wolf howls
I keep on running
...
The night grows chilly
grabbing my deer pelt
I pull it tighter around me
and I keep on running
...
Dawn comes
I am still running
my body is slicked with sweat
but I keep on running
...
My stomach contorts in pain from hunger
my mouth dry as dust
I grab some berries as I run by
juice runs down my chin
and yet I keep on running
...
A new moon tonight
darkness envelopes me
I hear the panting of wolves behind me
I hear the calls of the owls
...
My spirit grows weary
my body grows old
a wolf runs next to me
and I am comforted
...
Dawn comes yet again
still I run
the wolf leaves
...
The day is cool beneath the leafy trees
now I hear the noise of dainty hooves
a doe runs beside me
my body is close to death
but my spirit grows stronger
...
I keep running
I feel as if I am floating
I look down and see my body
it is still running
...
I see the whole forest
I see the doe running beside my body
I am still running
I look around
...
I feel no pain
no aching of the legs or chest
I did what my mother said
I ran till I could run no more
...
I look up
I am drifting towards the sun
I believe I see my mother
she is smiling
...
She opens her arms to me
I ran till I could run no more
now I have my mother back
I run to her
...
Ebony hair flying out behind me
tan arms at my sides
bare feet pounding the blue sky