When did you decide it was a race?

How dare you say you're tired
when I just wanted to hold your hand while watching the sunset.
How dare you say you can't breathe
when I told you a thousand times to stop smoking cigarettes.
How dare you say I'm too fast
when I always follow you from behind.
How dare you say you're thirsty
when I pour to you everything that I have.
How dare you say you're falling apart when I always pick you up.

When did you decide to cut your race
without reaching the finish line?

— karen, 2021