The Runner

His heart like a beggar so hobbled and bare
Sorrow wraps him like rags, torn, disheveled, and grey
His face may be bright showing nary a care
But his heart weeps alone through each night and each day
Footsteps on cold pavement so light, barely touching
His heart skips a beat though he feels his blood rushing

He knows not her name nor her life outside this
Rapturous moment of time standing still
Her only true focus lies somewhere past bliss
Pain isn’t measured against iron will
He watched as she passed him again, never seeing
The vagrant soul hidden, anonymous being

Wind rushing, heart pounding like peals of a bell
Taut muscles past screaming, bronze skin bathed in sweat
Body and soul dance with heaven and hell
Icy flame burning with each labored breath
She looked up, just once, their eyes barely meet
Such infinite sadness she happened to see

Those windows of truth revealed hopeless longing
Reflected before her as naked desire
With that tiny insight of desperate wanting
Lifetimes of sadness and love without fire
Shuffle of Nikes on concrete she’s passed
Eyes follow her blindly though visage downcast

Shuffle on pavement she keeps up her pace
Clouds cover his eyes and his tears fall like rain
Outrunning her demons but losing the race
He yearns for the day that she smothers his pain
Her mind wanders briefly to eyes so enraptured
He tilts at his windmills of love left uncaptured