Momentum

With every step, a gong

A broken sound barrier

A human pinata

For every footfall

A Zapruder filmed headshot

A garbage truck trundles past

The ground shakes and splits apart

The air fills with clamor

Until the eyes water

Patience is a virtue

The steps add up to miles

The roar stretches and smooths and withdraws

The clanging cymbals fade

Replaced by wind and breath

The violence of birth

Gives way to the comfort of life

The comfort of monotony

And fulfilled expectations

MICHAEL MUNNS is a poet, runner, and high school English teacher in the Twin Cities. In his spare time he runs marathons and cooks burgers for his family. This is his first published poem.