"outran" poems
The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:
Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.
So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.
And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.
6k
I took a walk today
and listened to the birds
choking on the smog,
broke my mother's back
with every step
and outran a stray dog.
I picked you a bouquet
of dandelions from the field
because flowers can't grow
when the sun's always concealed.
I put them in a vase
and filled it with water from the tap
they died within an hour,
now I know for sure you won't come back.
I always swore
I'd never own a broken home
but it's hard not to when the only one's who stay
are the garden gnomes —
but someone's been smashing them
in the middle of the night,
or maybe they're blowing out their brains
to escape my company
and the blight.
There's no magic left
in this city, so chronically gray
storms are always passing though
and the rainbows are too scared to stay...
I wanted to run away with you
from the hood and past the burbs
to somewhere where the air is clean
and filled with singing birds.
But instead I'm stuck here on this couch,
microwaving Ramen
while I search for words.
Jan 21, 2015
Jan 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM UTC
The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:
Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.
So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.
And round that early-laurelled head
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.
3.5k
The Ace of Spades
Queen of Hearts
Deuce of Diamonds
It's just the start
Can't turn the corner
Can't double down
Out of money
No bank around
I need that card
Need it like a drug
But odds are against me
It doesn't look good
I outran them all
But they got me again
Tried to talk my way out
But I tried in vain
No way to get out
Stuck in this spot
Left me with cards
Said play until I rot
The Ace of Spades
Queen of Hearts
I played my cards wrong
And they tore me apart
Jul 15, 2010
Jul 15, 2010 at 3:07 AM UTC
I ran from love
afraid to get hurt
but it outran me,
tripped me up,
and broke my legs.
Will you teach me,
how to walk again?
Jul 24, 2014
Jul 24, 2014 at 4:19 PM UTC
i didn't say a word.
the laughter was wrapping
tight about my neck.
two ex-girls were blushing,
my glance ricocheted off,
then landed on
my clasped hands.
i wasn't in charge of the party.
i only lived where it took place.
nobody had any alcohol,
everybody drank coffee or redbull;
talked with foreign
class.
i wasn't in charge of the music.
i only owned the stereo system.
so we listened to some pop-punkshit.
i started storing excuses,
in case someone asked me to dance.
the boys were all grinning.
the boys were all christians,
while they hunted their prey.
the girls were all grinning.
the girls were all christians,
while they still ran free.
i played priest.
kept my *** on the couch,
swore celibacy with every fired neuron.
lauren was gone,
and
amie threw a party.
she invited an army of
******** dressed exs
just to remind me i
hadn't outran my guilt.
the laughter started to wane,
people looked to me to stir
the conversation.
i didn't say a word.
i didn't breathe.
the weight of the room
was too heavy for me.
i cut myself from the stares,
someone asked where i was going,
my feet kept moving until
carpet
was traded for
concrete
was traded for
gas pedal
was traded for
anywhere distant.
Jun 7, 2010
Jun 7, 2010 at 11:46 AM UTC
Veins of leafy plants creeping and
Peeping from the cracks in the wall of stone
As the koyal sat regally and chirped
On its wooden branch of a throne
Out in the veranda sitting
Cross legged as you tugged
My messy long tresses with coconut oil
And made that wretched braid I loathed
The smell of ripe mangoes lingered
In the summer air and starry night
As I lay on my back on the folding bed-which was as ancient as my grandma-
And tried to decipher those stars in all my childlike might
Running barefoot in the haveli corridors
Built in that old colonial style
Chasing you as you outran me in your sarree
Almost as if I was chasing my dreams
I remember the playful teasing
As you became a child with me
I also picture grandma's white haired bun
And the flyaway hair coming loose as she chased after me
I remember those lazy peaceful afternoons
When dreams exceeded reality
It was a droning hum of a life
I miss it all so dearly
So whenever I want to go back to you, mum
To visit those summer glows
I just close my eyes and think of that haveli
And once again I smell the mangoes
Feb 10, 2016
Feb 10, 2016 at 1:55 PM UTC
I look upon a hillside green, A cow takes water from a stream,
A fox in play handsome and lean, upon this hillside emerald green,
Though…
Through my window it all seems, so far away, as in a dream.
A breeze picks up to push the grass, in great long sweeps I see it pass,
The sun is high a molten mass, resembling gold or polished brass,
Yet…
Through my window it all seems, so far away, as in a dream.
And to the stream a shepherd lad, shoulders low and poorly clad,
Made his way, though face was sad, for three small sheep were all he had,
Alas…
Through my window it all seems, so far away, as in a dream.
And from the south a minstrel gay, dressed in scarlet white and grey,
Comes skipping toward the stream to stay, beneath a tree I see him lay,
A merry tune begins to play,
And still…
Through my window it all seems, quite far away, as in a dream.
Then ore the hill comes charging quick, a band of goblins armor thick,
And in their hand an iron pick, the sons of light they mean to STICK!
But no…
Through my window it all seems, quite far away, as in a dream.
The shepherd lad a warning cries, before the pick removes his eyes,
The minstrel flees, at least he tries, but goblin chief of massive size,
Outran the man who screaming dies!
Yet still…
Through my window it all seems, quite far away, as in a dream.
The sheep are taken as a snack, the cow is butchered, carried back,
The fox has fled for all are dead, the stream once clear runs ruby red!
And yes…
Through my window it all seems, quite far away, as in a dream.
Now as I gaze, all seams so still, nothing moves nor ever will,
For goblins bear the urge to **** now crimson stains the emerald hill…
Jan 3, 2017
Jan 3, 2017 at 11:43 AM UTC
Heart-affluence in discursive talk
From household fountains never dry;
The critic clearness of an eye,
That saw thro' all the Muses' walk;
Seraphic intellect and force
To seize and throw the doubts of man;
Impassion'd logic, which outran
The hearer in its fiery course;
High nature amorous of the good,
But touch'd with no ascetic gloom;
And passion pure in snowy bloom
Thro' all the years of April blood;
A love of freedom rarely felt,
Of freedom in her regal seat
Of England; not the schoolboy heat,
The blind hysterics of the Celt;
And manhood fused with female grace
In such a sort, the child would twine
A trustful hand, unask'd, in thine,
And find his comfort in thy face;
All these have been, and thee mine eyes
Have look'd on: if they look'd in vain,
My shame is greater who remain,
Nor let thy wisdom make me wise.
1k
Hello again.
Oh god, not you.
Me, but does it matter. Do you still care?
No.
Walk with me, lend me your thought.
Very well.
I am born again and you feel the same as past days.
I do.
Vulnerability is a new form of life.
For you.
And you are scared again.
And you are with me.
Does it frighten you, how far you've come?
Yes, where has time gone?
Into me, I am always with you.
My one friend,
Together Together.
Shall we sink as one?
Of course.
How many days lost into your huddled fear?
Enough to make me strong.
And you are here to tell me all is lost?
I am here to offer you that choice.
I don't want it.
I have come too far for you, I have grown too tall, seen too much, outran you more times than you let on, you are no longer a match for me.
Do you feel brave?
You know I don't, ever,
But I feel ready.
**You will need me
When you lose all
And truth is laid bare
You will need me
And I will be here
To **** you in
To steal you back,
Mine,
My very own**
Property.
Jan 10, 2015
Jan 10, 2015 at 11:12 AM UTC
Greatest Cop In Town (LOL)
Well crap, he outran me
But, I wear thirty extra pounds
I think I'll just say that
Because Im supposed to run him down
I yelled one time for him to stop
But, he ran like a gazelle
He jumped a fence with no hands
My gun belt slowed me down
I wear boots not made for running
He had Jordan sneakers on
He must not of heard my orders
I think my siren drowned the sound
He sized me up so quickly
I could see it in his eyes
I think he saw my anger
Or, the jelly donut at my side
I may have heard him laughing
But not once did he look back
He thought that he would get away
Because he ran so very fast
Now I know that I will find him
And he'll be easy to be found
I'll place his name on my business cards
And leave them all around
I'll write a dollar number very high
Note that he was a great help
His friends will be so happy
Or they will beat him straight to hell
He'll tell them that he did not talk
Say he ran like a gazelle
But no one will believe him
Because I'm the greatest cop in this town
Carl J. Roberts
Mar 19, 2013
Mar 19, 2013 at 6:17 PM UTC
The doe ran across the road and I had to catch my startled breaths.
The doe ran across the road and a car swerved, successfully.
The doe ran and looked at my face for fifteen seconds (or more...or less).
The doe ran across the road and jumped so high and landed amongst a small bunch of trees.
The doe outran me. I was on my bicycle that day.
The doe ran five miles per hour. Every hour.
The doe ran while I climbed wooden staircases.
The doe ran after she acknowledged my presence, and I acknowledged hers.
The doe ran because she was afraid I would hurt her (why would I hurt her? for food).
The doe ran away afraid and I was secretly afraid--don’t mention this to my Nature friends--that the doe did not hurt me.
The doe ran away from the other does because of overpopulation.
The doe ran. I want to run with the doe, or on the doe.
The doe ran across the road a lot every day.
Feb 12, 2015
Feb 12, 2015 at 3:36 PM UTC
Don't worry,the world is not a monster,
Though it bares its fangs on you first-time,
Tomorrow it shall be tainted with no crime,
And happiness shall be like a sister!
Don't worry,whenever you worry,tensions hurry,
Luck is outran,outdone,ladyluck is gone!
Just let the moon guide you through this zone
And tomorrow you shall on your way to glory!
Don't worry,don't you worry,my friend,
The bold are gone but it's not the end.
History is made,but mystery lies much in your tarry.
In the begginning it's all a blur and it's so scary,
Light is not shed in the tunnel
And easy pathways,only lead to hell!
Don't worry,pity is in your eyes.
Don't worry,my friend,stand and rise!
Dec 28, 2016
Dec 28, 2016 at 4:19 PM UTC
I woke beside
a pitch black crust
like the dust
permeating veins.
I sat upon colidascope concrete
until morning
brought birds
to carry my neck
back to you.
I collapsed onto the shore
and cried all night
because I finally outran my shadow
and the seaside
refused to share.
I pounded my fists
into the sockets
holding your eyes.
They're missing,
stolen perhaps
by another set of cheekbones.
I scraped the sky
with nails like coal,
leaving streaks of blood
across east Ohio.
I sat on the ceiling
as the fingertips of July
stretched my mind
away from fire.
Does she rub your shoulders?
I hope she does.
I really do.
Jul 17, 2013
Jul 17, 2013 at 11:53 AM UTC
I met him standing
In the middle of the lane, awaiting
For some silhouettes, apparently,
For he
Was gazing through the haze
Enveloping the ground of this intricate maze,
Amidst eternities of both
The one behind us and the one of forth
Acquaintance; peevishly there hotching
On his place, like pole earthshaking
Though with not a-lack of grace
This little figure strangèly reminded
Of my own wraiths I thought was far behind me; but never did they leave my soul’s abode,
No matter whether home I or abroad
I always carry them like plummet on a chain
With which all a-way down and down upcoming drowner fane,
Just like pale moon is setting to its further sleep
The same way future drowner does complete
The full life circle of eternal plan,
The one which you could not outran
In vacuous attempt to fool the time
In game that has been riggéd before thine
Name and surname were inscribed in list
Of papyrus and lost in spaceless mist
Nov 30, 2019
Nov 30, 2019 at 12:11 AM UTC
Dance
My lady of doom
Show me how to
Walk
Away from the sun
As I outrun the day
I'm running out of solutions
You gave
Still you would dance
Unto the sound of my name
But I outran the grave
Take take my life
Lady of light
Oh show me how
So we may
Break through the night
Lover so bright
Oh keep me sound
Wonderer leading the way
Grace
Mine haunting became
Who walks in the garden
Maybe you
My lady of doom
Dressed in my eulogy
No distant sense of illusion will save
My face a painting, a slave
It's canvass I burned
Oh oh I outran the grave
Take take the days oh please take me
Lady leading the way
Oh show me how
Don't waste duration
After facing the day
Just maybe to save
Me by you name
I have outran the grave
Oh lady of light
Break through the night
Ascend beyond mourning
Travel not blindly the garden waits to be burned
My lady of light out run with me kindly
Only In knowing that life is solemnly earned
Mar 28, 2014
Mar 28, 2014 at 1:26 PM UTC
Perhaps in moving forward I outran time, and left years dying in my mentality.
Years of living in a dependent way, and not making choices.
The years that made words easier to say, and friends easier to make.
They were lost upon me in solitude.
I was left in books and knowledge for too long a time.
Words in a book will state what people want, but words on a page speak volumes.
The poems we all wrote in those ages of contempt.
They milked the venom in our veins to make it so we couldn't ****
Though I never wrote then, and I didn't show the venom I felt it.
What most call hate was apparent in me at a much younger age.
Though I know it wasn't hate, but I didn't then.
Contempt or disdain is how I'd refer to it now.
She was the only person who I could feel it towards, and I am no better for that.
She gave me life, and I still can't stand the relation.
I bit my tongue as she tried to buy me, work me, and what she'd call care for me.
This not nor will be a person I can in my right mind, call anything positive.
I couldn't stay in a place where the voice of authority was more a child than me.
I have trouble with acknowledging her as who she is to me.
I was given a fire that nearly burned her away, and though I am not proud of it.
I would have just watched the fire with the same eyes I have now.
People cool me down though, those people called friends.
They spoke of understanding rather than disgust, though confusion was there.
How could one burn someone so close, and how can they just talk about it?
It concerns some and scares most, but some know why I burned.
Oct 14, 2014
Oct 14, 2014 at 9:06 PM UTC
Please hold onto me Nana,
Hold on as long as you can.
I know it must be hard to trust me,
Since you don’t know who I am.
I want to help you remember,
However I am afraid it’s gone too far.
But I remember everything for us both,
From pinched cheeks to trips in the car.
You taught me how to be strong,
But right now I am not.
In a wide world full of people,
You’re really all I’ve got.
It’s hard to comes with,
As physically there’s nothing wrong.
Nana, it’s your mind that’s left us,
I fear it won’t come along.
We’ve got so much left to do,
I have so much left to say.
I wish I could protect you from the fog,
But it’s impossible for this to go my way.
Death hasn’t taken your body Nana,
He has kidnapped your memories.
He is cruel and unjustified,
I promise he’s making some enemies.
Please hold onto me Nana,
Hold on as long as you can.
I will love you forever and always,
But time is never outran.
Apr 1, 2020
Apr 1, 2020 at 5:36 PM UTC
All the things I wanted to say to you
Have turned to fading memories.
And there’s nothing left I can do
To rewind these quiet miseries.
This isn’t what I wished for—
Your light dimmed,
Then outran mine before.
But I already missed the boat,
Fate tore through vows I never wrote.
At least come to me in dreams—
In my sleep, or drifting through day beams.
Don’t bring in the noise of reality,
Let this world be just you and me.
We’ll hang ornaments on fading daffodils,
I won’t wake if the silence fills.
If you’re a lie, let me stay within it,
I'll cross every tie just to relive a minute.
So please—don’t wake me up.
Let me swing inside this make-believe rhyme.
Not just for now...
Because at least in this world,
You’re finally mine.
Jun 28, 2025
Jun 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM UTC
When last we laughed
I was flush to your bluff
By necessity and nature
Joyful unto sky of gray
Comprehension is pain
Outran it far as possible
Truth is a rock, but they
Mapped it for me; ephemeral
Delicate as a piece of ancient
Poesy. No rosy-fingered dawn,
Nothing to write home about.
* d *
You can’t get far on a sick nag
Fresh water, strong mind
On a narrow road, endless
Desert ahead
Where is your Masala?
Your final stand?
Don’t be some dead girl
* a *
Let them win, there lies strength
If you can shut down need
You can win a life
* d *
Just how far I went I’m not
Sure. Still finding castoffs
Pieces of salvage I can use now
Flush with hope, I can eat again
I can truly laugh
You were the one who
once laughed best
Silly as loons we were, so
maybe we could be
still
Possibility runs rampant
Through me
Shivering wet and wild
"Birds can't unchain from skyway"
You said that, remember,
But what if weighted regret
Claims us in this journey
Suddenly, so privately
A moment of recognition
Pure, behind our eyes
Right where I keep you
Where it's always you, Pop
Fully recognized, armored up
Tenderly on display to
Such hungry world
Apr 17, 2019
Apr 17, 2019 at 8:42 PM UTC
At my best,
I'll dance with my shadow,
try to outran it,
hide from the one thing I can't lose
my gloomy companion without a voice.
Sep 4, 2018
Sep 4, 2018 at 6:53 PM UTC
I lost the losers,
I healed from those bruisers,
I outran those pursuers,
I won you,
I dodged the bad luck,
I jumped over the hurdles,
I smashed through those barriers,
I won you,
I turned my back on those who turned from me,
I stepped up to my attackers,
Looked into the eyes of my abusers,
I won you,
I lost myself in drugs and alcohol,
I cried through my tears,
I sobered myself,
I have been clean for some years,
I won you,
I laughed at bad jokes,
Avoided the smoke,
I treated myself better,
I won you.
Jun 2, 2022
Jun 2, 2022 at 8:02 AM UTC