Like a heavyweight lifter,

I stumbled on, tired.

I called,

as if summoning people to vote,

or alarming

the villagers

that there’s a fire:

“Here!

Here it is!

Help me carry my load!”

When they saw

such a bulk sobbing and wailing—

through snow

and through mud

running,

in fright,

all the ladies

quickly

scurried away from me:

“That’s too much …

We just wanted a tango tonight.”

I can do it no more,—

And yet, I carry this burden.

I want to throw it away—

but I won’t,

that’s for certain!

I walked on, enduring the pain in my chest.

My ribcage was trembling under the stress.