One up, one down,
Both legs respond,
A pounding rhythm,
A painful bond.
Each breath a war,
Filled with blood,
Each inch a mile,
Against a flood.

But there it is,
Hope is near,
The hill is passed,
Homeward I steer.
Soft smooth tar,
From dark to light,
Easy going,
Careless flight.

Wind in hair,
Sun on face,
This reward well suited,
To what I faced.

"Don't worry" he smiled,
"You'll be just fine,
Just do your best,
They'll be next time"

But she did not,
not even plead,
"This is your reckoning,
You must succeed"

So does this grade,
That I decide,
Truly dictate,
My future life?

If I was not me,
I think I'd be a cat,
And wander 'bout the place,
And that would just be that.

Lying in the sun,
Sleeping all day long,
Chasing birds around,
And silencing their song.

As long as i had food,
And water in my bowl,
It wouldn't bother me,
That I have no matching soul.

But such a silly thing,
Simply cannot be,
For the life of a cat,
Is far too good for me.

As I stand beside and wonder,
Of clouds and rain and thunder,
What force or drive could be so great,
To carry all your reckless hate?

Who lied to you? Who let you down?
Who pushed you back? Who stole your crown?
Who stood you up, so proud and tall,
Slipped away, watched you fall

So surely you, such strength, such might,
Would find this soul, and set them right,
Meet their eye, hold their gaze,
Finalize these torturous days,

But to an end my thoughts conclude,
Though not for me, but just for you,
Your wrathful dreams may sail free,
But just for you, not for me.