on the run

you take a wrong turn
and end up
in a bad part of town.
you roll your window
down and ask
directions from a woman
in a sequined dress.
it's getting dark.
you hear someone call your name.
the woman asks you for
a match
before pointing to the left.
go left, then straight she says,
smiling.
you see the gold in her
teeth.
slowly you turn
the corner before
your car runs
out of gas. you get out,
abandon the car.
you start to run
as strangers
come out of the shadows
and chase you.
down the alleys,
through the park, you sprint,
through the hedges and trees
you run,
run for your life.
you wake up in a cold sweat.
it's a long
night with dreams
like these.
it's why you wear
your running shoes to
bed.