Free Runner

Free runner
Laughing at the wind
Running for sovereignty
Running from her past
Chasing reason, chasing hope
All her dreams hang not far
Free runner
She steps out of reach
Smiling over her shoulder
She teases me
Plays a game
I try to catch her
But I never do
Until she slows down
To let me rest
To catch her, but I know
I only catch her because
She wants to be caught
And when she lets me
Walk beside her
Rest by her
There is no greater gift
For a gift with a time limit
Is most precious
And of my time chasing
Chasing her dreams
I have learned to love
Holding her in the palms
Of my open hands
Free runner
She played the game
Played it hard and fast
Until a challenge came
With no face or voice
It cheated her playful ways
This time, for every step
A greater pain was added
She ran, she smiled back at me
A sorrow in her eyes
With every step, a faster stride
But I saw the pain
Her heart was breaking
Her mind grew weary
Her legs trembled, feet bled
A few steps more, she would fall
So she smiled once more
This time she stopped running
Stood motionless as stone
Brilliant in her grace
Her eyes met mine, and
Suddenly turned to ash
Free runner
I tried to grasp the little flakes
To piece you back together
But you flew too fast
Flew out of reach
And I knew I could not catch you
Free runner
I look up at the stars and smile
A tear runs down my cheek
Too fast to wipe away
I know you run somewhere
Laughing at the wind
Running for sovereignty
Someday, when the time is right
And when I am too
I know that I will catch you