I am stretched, 
out, up, stung
by an adder's tongue
this inferno, these hours
this waiting, dying air
the heat within is nothing
to the heat without
a cause
Would I had more

Just one more day
Just one more well placed
curse, this gravity that sees 
me sink and swell, sway in time
to every rule you set
save only that the contest 
is over
though I came in first

I miss the chase,
that final moment
right before the claim.