Beep… Beep… Beep
the alarm’s ritual has begun
before dawn arrives, waking me up
it fulfilled its duty and now it’s mine

The torch of greatness is in my hand
the torch flaming like never seen
each bead of sweat as fuel
the fire keeps burning bright

Snooze or Wake up? My hand deliberated
to stop this process or repeat again
a few more minutes or sleep?
worth risking waking up too late?

The flame slowly grew dimmer
fuel was running out
a little while and it’ll run out
putting the flame in a grave

I pulled down on the phone to wake up
snoozing isn’t an option anymore
I had to get on the road
my ritual is awaiting me

the torch is becoming lighter
I take a few steps forward, increasing my speed
beads of sweat form on my temple
the flame starts burning brighter

I pull up my socks and tie my shoes
hugging my legs, my shoes fill confidence in me
You can run for long, far, and wide
they silently scream into my leg

The flame is burning brighter
showing me the way forward
my heart rate is elated
and the music in my ears too!

The world is silent, yet to wake up
the birds asleep in their nests
and the dogs curled up on the road
There’s still time for the world to wake up

The trees blow gently on my face
Caressing and wiping the sweat
Each step burns the torch brighter
The torch of light is near its former glory

The sun shies behind towering mountains
The wind moves gently among the leaves
the sleeping snore in unison
breathing in… breathing out…

The torch is burning brighter
the warmth seeping to my own being
my heart feels at one with nature
breathing in… breathing out…

The sun peeks from behind the mountain
the wind makes a gentle sound
wake up, my dears- the trees sound
the birds begin their morning song

Nature’s pleasant alarm clocks, they are
waking up their fellows
my legs feel a soreness,
yet my heart wants to go on

10 kilometers, the app notifies me
it’s been a long run so far
yet I feel I haven’t gone far at all
my heart wants to race on over

The torch burns brighter and brighter
Each bead of sweat keeping the flame alive
the torch burns brighter
and it’s not going to ever die

–Surya T