Shadows That Follow

I run.
But shadows
never leave.

They cling
to my steps,
to my breath,
to the quiet
between heartbeats.

Every street
feels the same
empty,
cold,
like the past
is waiting
just behind me.

I want to forget.
I want to break free.
But memories
are like chains
invisible,
heavy,
unrelenting.

Sometimes I stop.
Just to catch breath,
but the shadows
catch me first.

They remind me
of every fall,
every scar,
every word
I wish I could take back.

I tell myself
to keep running
to outrun the pain.
But pain
runs faster.

So I keep moving
alone,
tired,
with shadows
that never let go.

One day, maybe,
the shadows will fade.
But today isn’t that day.

Today,
I run
with ghosts
at my heels.