kaleidoscope

  as if, by pushing harder, faster,

jumping higher, farther,

      lifting heavier, longer

i can somehow burst this brain

      out of this body

fix the fractures

      in this breaking mind, 

kaleidoscope shattering

      pain

 explosion, breath scarlet,

      sweat streaking through

 half-shut-eyes

      the meaning of life

defined by one more heartbeat

      one more leap

one more rending breath

       muscles straining into flight,

throbbing life

      only in this: survival

      (mind invincible, 

      thought defeated by body striving)

E s c a p e