Running

[Degorram]

Running

 

Pulling for my freedom,

I’m like an almost broken horse,

trying to get away

but kept in by the unmarked barrier

where your property ends

and the world begins.

 

Charge out screaming,

raging to get out –

this time!

this time! –

and plunge to a stop,

jerked back by a chain of who-knows-what

because God knows,

and I know

it isn’t fear.

 

Seven hours of road

is the feeling when I run

and leave behind the scars in my neck

where the chain became embedded.

Time cut it out and washed my wounds

and you didn’t try to stop him

except for once

when you told me to never grow up,

and I, too young to obey, did.

 

Because the spot will always ache

when you grab me by the scruff.