The gun was fired, the running had begun
before I knew I had joined the race
I could not stop-
I knew the prize was you

Gasping for air, muscles burning
I was so afraid I would weigh you down
that somehow, I had shackled myself, to you
afraid, so afraid to fail, to fail you

The race was a trap
an endless maze spent chasing; you
perpetually assigned second place
but maybe-oh maybe- I'll be enough

Our shackles were built, half affection
and convenience-
a lonely girl
but shackles, they chafe

Somehow the maze becomes a labyrinth,
all roads leading to the end.
For so long I thought I was behind-
but now I turn.

I've been dragging slack weight-
not running a maze, but in circles
never being met halfway
so tired.

I've sat down-
shackles thrown away
you're now free
I hope you know how it feels

*and circle back sometimes, to me