Your Burden

I walk the only road i know
with a face molded in concern
cars pass on my side

behind dark and reflecting
glass
i dont see their expressions
just their labels
and their stickers
NO WAR
they tell me

who am i to them
another pedestrian
out of their way

what a concept
cars.
a box we sit in
while a monstor churns
to get us there
via rubber tires.

why do we bother
to get to point B
if we always return
to point A?

i walk over a hill
it doesnt take any effort,
just a little bend in the knee

the hill goes up a little
and curves to the left

winded hair,
frizzed and damp
in morning mist
my breath heavy,
my skin reddened
i\'m warm
as i enter
a conditioned room

i could not
turn on the heat
pick up coffee
on the way
and tie my shoes
before i get there.

i make less money.
so i pay less money.
maybe once in a while
just for a new pair of shoes

i carry a burden
lighter than yours.
mine\'s only a backpack.
yours is pollution.
oil spills.
accidents.
road maintenance.
toll fees.
gas prices.

i dont have the convenience.
i dont have the time.
i dont have the sense of flying
when its 3 am on an empty highway.

you don\'t have the pride.
you don\'t feel the wind.
you don\'t feel your muscles thanking you
when you\'ve settled down.