you move slowly now
not like before
once you were water that broke through a dam
and you ran and you ran
like a wanted man
now you sit between two potted plants
a pretty young thing says this way please
it’s warm and you wait and you’re almost asleep
when the doctor comes into the room like a breeze
white coat and white teeth
and perfectly tanned
he says the results of your tests have come back
bad news I’m afraid
you’re going to live
he gives you a wink and laughs at his joke
makes a note on your chart and says seriously though
keep up the good work
we’ll see you again in another six months
and all the way home you remember the days
when you ran like water
you think of a time when you were still wanted
you move slowly now
back to where you began
and pray six months are all that you have.