Courage

Courage
Olivia Roskos

Run. Stop. Cough.

Lungs fill with air, a little farther, another stride, almost there.

Stop. Cough. Sweat.

Behind you, don’t look back, don’t be afraid, forward, eyes ahead. The boulder

Trip. Fall. Yell.

It hears you. Hurry!

Scurry. Duck. Hide

It smells you. Fear!

Shh… quiet.

Beating heart, like a drum.

Can it hear you?

Loud. Growl. Fierce. Big

Wait. Wait. Wait.

It lurks. Quiet!

Sweat pours like raindrops from the sky.

Hand’s shake. Creatures crawl.

It is gone. Move!

Head aches like a shaking earthquake.

Is it safe to look?

Hold back child just one moment more. Please wait.

Look up. Worry lifted.

It has left.