Death or Glory

Hiding in barns and outbuildings by day
Walking in hedgerows undercover of night
Head down, senses alert
Day after day, avoiding the light.

The border’s not far; check point ahead
Dive for cover or put up a fight?
Crouch in the undergrowth; senses strain
The longest day; freedom’s in sight.

Evening comes, it’s time to run
Pound across fields, vault over gates
Soldiers shout, shots are fired
Adrenaline pumps, heart thumps.

Hounds at my heels, boots thud on the ground
Screw up my courage, don’t ever look back
It’s now or never, my ultimate hope
Striving for freedom, just one final leap.

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Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #86 photo prompt.

Image credit: Warren Wong @ Unsplash
The image shows shows a stretch of empty road. There is a man in running shoes taking a leaping jump over the yellow dividing line on the road.