Student Publishing Program ::

Emma K.

Race

The night is dark,
And the air cool.
I begin at the end of the driveway,
And start running.

My feet hit the ground hard
Until I finally fall into my steady pace.
My legs take me where they wish,
Whether it be around the block or through the woods.

I run through a small tunnel created by a line of trees,
But my legs decide to break out onto a quiet street.
As I turn away from the woods, my deep breaths and the chirping crickets
Are the only things that disturb the silence.

A breeze from behind me
Whispers to go faster,
Pushes me forward,
Encourages me.

My legs begin to tire
And they turn towards home,
But as I turn
I hear it following me.

The rain. At first it is a slow pitter patter,
But then much heavier;
Now moving more quickly across the pavement,
It challenges me to a race.

I am not far from home
And run hard and fast from the rain
Until the burning in my legs
Spreads up into my lungs.

I can feel the rain gaining on me,
Its drops feeling their way through the night,
Coming after me.
But I continue to hold my lead.

I barely beat the rain home, but remain outside to let it catch me.
Laughing, I collapse onto the driveway
And let the heavy drops of rain soothe
The burning sensation in my legs.

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