Ingredients for the dragon of my mind

I am from the heavy breathing, the feet slapping the track

One lap, two laps, three laps, four. And I cross the finish line

I am from the woods, the trees speaking to me as they dance to the beat of their needles swaying in the cold-hearted wind

I am from the green grass of the meadows, of the birds of prey flying way up high in the gray glass of the sky

Where God drops black broken hearts into the mix to make my thoughts darker, and my heart harden.

I am from a dad trying and failing, trying and succeeding

I am from the crying morning of the dreadful news no nine-year-old needs to hear.

I am...