Plea for Normalcy

I gasp for air as I ran after her into the end of this road
only to realize that there is none.

She paused and looked back and wiped the sweat
off her face and her neck
and she asked me if I can still keep up.

I can, I told her.

She ran, and she ran with many others,
I, behind a million other backs.

I cannot see anyone clearly behind me,
though I know that there are a few unfortunate others.

and I ran from them, too.

Make me run a little tad faster,
or slow down a bit for me.

Don't you ever get tired?
Don't you ever stop?
Don't you ever pause to see what's around?

Do you ever feel?
Do you ever love?

Do I [?]