I saw a race photo from the other day

Some guy I didn’t know

He crossed the finish line around the same time as me

His friend on the other side stuck out a hand

They were both smiling

A conglomerate of runners all pushed STOP on their watches

In that picture we were a bundle of multicolored blotches

The clock above said 1:46

We’d run 13.1 miles through Richmond, I know I’d gotten my fix

It was the end of a treacherous downhill slope

Spectators had watched the action

They all hoped

No one would fall crossing that line

Now the rush is over

I made my goal time

My legs are still a bit achy

That picture I saw made me think

There’s a 2024 race season to come

In the distant past was 2021

I’ve come far since then – in every distance

It’s strange that in a way I’m attracted to the resistance

No water but just air, moving myself – against everything, against time

I love what it does to my heart and mind

But I wonder how many more races, how many more finish lines there will be

I have a feeling there’s a finish line at some point waiting for me

I race through each season, swap out my shoes

Pine for the fall and cool air when my legs feel like new

I’m just like all the other runners heading out

As the sun comes up and we hit the pavement

Where are we all going

Trying to combat an unspoken estrangement

What are we running for

Are we running away or forward?

Who is cheering me on

Who’s on the other side

I want to run it well, run it to the end

Till I cross that finish line

And I see Your hands out and Your face shine