You are running so fast
that’s good
you take the lead on an inside corner
that’s good
you pull ahead of the pack and taste the sweat of victory, salty sweet
that’s good
You are running in the wrong direction
that’s not good
You hit a rock and slip across gravel. Your ankle twists and the dust flies up while you rush to meet it.
You watch the other runners pass
one by one and over your crumpled body
Sweat mingles with your blood into mud,
into earth
all is lost
is this not good?