How to Play RUN!

Start now wherever you are.

Don’t look back, don’t look far.

Ban most parts of consciousness.

Don’t let detail coalesce.

Don’t you dare forgive

yourself—the guilt you live

with and on is your fuel.

You can start running—you’ll

be late. Well you won’t,

the time isn’t ever right,

but you’re afraid if you don’t

get going, you might

never be afraid enough

to go—so go! There’s no bang,

just start, now. If it’s tough,

sing a song your mother sang.

Can you get away from everywhere?

Don’t bother trying to hide—

you’ll also want to run from there.

You’ve widened your stride.

The answer is no one.

Put all in your legs, heave,

the air. Forget the questions,

people, reasons you leave:

maybe there’s no bear, no sin,

no finish line to cross, no cheer,

just your fear and your fear of your fear.

If you’re running, you win.