Distant gun sounds,
Crowd implores me, “run!”
My heart beats, pounds, thrashes,
The race has begun.

Unhindered first steps,
Taken without delay.
Relentless crowd yells,
“Run! The finish line is but a pace away!”

Quaking ground beneath me,
My legs begin to sway.
Breathing turns to coughing,
“Run! The finish line is but a pace away!”

Around me the world stands still
I am tired, down hearted, frayed
The end comes no closer,
“Run! The finish line is but a pace away!”

My body crumbles,
Agonized, in pain.
Skin torn and bleeding,
“Run! The finish line is but a pace away!”

The ground stretches ahead
Inside, a growing weight
But I cannot stop here,
“Run! The finish line is but a pace away!”

Glancing behind,
I find I am where I began.
Startled I look down to find
Chains held by my own hands.