Running

You asked me once

“Why don’t we go running?

I think it would be fun to do.”

I told you patiently that I couldn’t run

And explained clearly the reasons

You said to that

“Oh, we don’t have to run.

We can just jog, at a steady, slow pace.

That’ll be okay.”

And so, off we went on our journey

You always jogged a little ways ahead

But I was always able to keep sight of you

Every so often, you’d stop and wait

So that I could catch up…

But things have changed.

You started running a little bit faster

I could barely keep up

But I still had sight of you

Less and less you would stop to wait

For you’re friend that was running behind you

But, yet again, you changed

You started running faster again,

I struggled to keep up

I could make you out in the distance

I think you stopped to wait once or twice

For me, the friend you were leaving behind

But, you were getting used to the fast life

Now, you’re sprinting far ahead

I’ve almost stopped trying to keep up

Every so often I can catch a glimpse

But you never stop, so I can catch up

You never stopped for a friend

Now, you’re addicted to the fast life

You knew I was different from the start

You saw the difference plainly

I had explained it to you

That I couldn’t run—

Not then, not now, not yet—

But you gradually started to forget

And now you no longer care

I’ve tried to keep up

But I’m failing

You’re all so far ahead

I don’t think I’ll ever catch up

Thank’s for caring the first little bit

But I see that you care no more

(Because I know you didn’t forget)

I had explained it to you

As clear as the day

But…maybe you just weren’t listening…

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Another oldie…