THE HUMAN RACE
I’m running a race, and I’m striving for first
There’s no second place, for victory I thirst
I’ve started to run, and hope I get to the end
I’ll be number one, before both foe and friend
There is but one goal, I will not settle to lose
My body and soul will provide strength I can use
But what’s this I see someone just ran past
Is he faster than me? How much more can I last?
I look to my right, a couple running hand in hand
Pass me and go out of sight so I stop and I stand
A large man with his son carried in tow, piggyback
Dart by as if one, with the endurance I lack
An old lady in a wheelchair pushed by a child
Speed by as I stare at the group ahead that’s compiled
I don’t get it I think, they got all this baggage
They thrive while I sink, just how do they manage?
And then conjoined brothers who were ready to pass
Stopped chasing the others though not out of gas
They saw me and inquired, “Why have you stopped racing?”
I’m down and I’m tired and I don’t think I’m placing
Those running past do so though they seemed hindered
I’m doing my best, yet I am slow and bewildered
I can’t understand why I am falling behind
“It’s ’cause you’re undermanned,” the brothers replied
“The race that you run can’t be done all alone
It’s meant to be fun, with the loved ones you’ve known
It’s not just a saying that the first will be last
It’s life that you’re playing so learn from the past
The burdened stick together and get so far ahead
They don’t care whether they’ve trailed or they’ve led
They just keep going until they reach the end
All the while knowing they’ve run with a friend.
Now there is a big prize if you just do your best
Everybody who tries will share this gift when they rest.
So go find a partner and continue your quest
Or you won’t get much farther on this life long test.”
The brothers then ran without missing a beat
It’s amazing they can in such blistering heat
Their words struck a cord, now I know what’s in store
I just couldn’t afford to fall back any more
I looked all around hoping to recognize someone
What I then found was that I recognized everyone
My father and mother had both waited for me
My sister and brother whom I was so happy to see
My children and wife were ready to continue the trek
All my loved ones in my life had been waiting on deck
I reached out to hold them and received an embrace
I wanted to show them the joy in my face
The race was still going so we started to move
My confidence was growing since there was nothing to prove
I could not see the finish, but I no longer cared
The fatigue had diminished, all our energy was shared
First was once an obsession, but now was barely a thought
Because what I had in my possession, just could not be bought
I kept running that day as if I’d come in first place
Because in every way, I’d won the human race
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