I Thought About That

I once had a dream

I was a greyhound in a race,

And [damn] I was fast.

Bursting from the gate,

Shoulder to shoulder,

And heal to chin, I ran.

But, whether by intent or fate,

Awareness crept in

As if I’d been wearing blinders,

And they began to slip

Down

‘Til they were hanging

‘Round my neck.

 

I then began to see

The cheering crowd,

And money changing hands.

As I slowed, I heard the cries,

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Why’s he slowing down?”

Familiar voices rose

Loud

Above the rest,

“You gotta run, boy!”

“The others are leaving you!”

 

I saw the others

Chasing rabbits on rails.

I saw the track.

Circling

Its futility laid bare

By the scene.

But, beyond the track,

I saw a door,

With its face lit

By the morning sun.

 

Waking from the dream,

I was still the dog in the race,

And [damn] I was fast.

I thought about

The blinders slipping,

And the voices in the crowd.

Telling

Without knowing.

I thought about

Chasing rabbits in circles,

And the door in the morning sun.

I thought about that,

And I just ran on.