HINEMOANA BAKER
Running
I was running away from you
Paekākāriki beach was dark grey, we pounded through the creek
over the bridge you were really after me
as fast as you could go on your ankles
shattered in that car accident you call
my car accident I would say the more you claim it
the less you allow it to leave you do you want
to keep hold of the pain
and you would say how would you understand if you’ve never
had one and I haven’t as I ran I said
full tilt full tilt full tilt in rhythm with my
feet hitting the sand by now we gasped for every
breath you were right on my heels I panicked
turned to push you away I punched at your
shoulders your chest I put the heel
of my hand between your eyebrows and pushed
as hard as I could and still you caught me grabbed
my arm my clothes my woollen jersey unravelled as you
pulled till there was a thin grey thread
getting longer between us and the faster I ran
the colder I got