The track is taunting me

Sweltering heat radiates

Off blacktop

Singeing my leg hairs

The endless oval

Purgatory

Sweat pouring out

Of my eyes, my arms, my legs

My chest

Every step, every breath

Constriction writhes my body

Gasping for air

Striding for another few feet

My energy has fled

I am aflame

On fire

Fumes ablaze

I sprint

Towards the end

Crossing the line

Stretching out

For the goal

Emancipated

Jubilant

Complete

© 2018 Jason A. Muckley

This poem is an entry to Esther Chilton’s Running Challenge on her blog.