Fast, running fast,
like a child at play
she could see herself
outside this body,
outside this growing mass.
Her arms bird-thin
dangling helpless at her side.
She was not here...
she was a child.
Fast, running fast,
the wind at her back, the ground
stretching out before her.
She could outrun this pain
if only she was a child again.
Racing, racing fast, the wind
caressing her, swirling about.
Nothing could touch her...
she was healthy and whole.
Her life keeping step
with the innocent joy
of a race run well.
Fast, running fast,
the hours going back
to her mother's soft hands
that stroked her fly-away strands.
Her mother singing softly,
rocking her in a tender embrace.
Fast, running fast,
just to leap into
her Father's waiting arms.
'Oh, Daddy, take this pain from me.
Carry me on your shoulders.'
Fast, running fast,
like a child at play...
she shut her eyes
and let herself drift away.