Don’t run ahead she said
stay beside me
run when I run
walk when I walk

But I ran ahead
because it was easier
and when I looked back
I could not see her

She was so angry
that I ran ahead
but perhaps she feared
that night was coming

She knows I will run ahead
into the gloaming.
And when I look back
I will not see her.

I will learn to run beside her.
But one day we will stumble
and I will run on ahead
into the long night.

© 2016 by Neil Gaiman