She said, “Stop running.”

I smiled sweetly

Because my mind is always racing.

My mom likes to remind me,

Life is a marathon, not a sprint.

I have been setting my own pace,

But I am not about to slow

Down and take in the surrounding scenery.

I do not intend to lose.

What happens when I finally falter?

When I let go of my guard?

I cannot afford to have healthy lungs

If I want to maintain the walls around my heart.