Recurring
by ARHuelsenbeck

every night I get out of bed
throw on a tee shirt and shorts
carry my sneakers to the front stoop
where I put them on
then run through the town where I grew up

at first my feet don’t want to move
it takes all my willpower to propel them forward
but finally they engage

as I hit my stride, I leave
my old neighborhood of working class houses behind
pass the library and run past the expensive estates
with expansive manicured lawns lit by landscape lanterns
mansions I’ve only dreamed of being inside

it would be peaceful
except as I pass each house
a chorus of barking echoes
intruder! trespasser!
reminding me I don’t belong

and so I run on
virtuously completing my nightly circuit
returning home along the river road
stretching my complaining leg muscles
before removing my sneakers
and slipping back into my bed