the hunted

with a large branch
you scratch away your tracks
behind you.
step into the stream
and go down.
crossing over
on the rocks.
you look back. they're
still there, not
far behind.
they have dogs.
you hear them barking.
you hear the rattle of
the chains
they carry to put on
your wrists and legs
again. they want to bring
you back to reality.
no one gets to live
outside the laws of
love and life.
you are hunted. you are
alone. you won't
be caught again.
not alive.