Humankind (a poem)

I was sitting at the bar
enjoying a brew
reminding myself that I’m
part of something

The human race

and it feel like that sometimes

faster, faster
pump your arms
don’t stop pedaling

for more,
more,
more

more than your neighbor
more than you need

until you fall to the floor
panting
tears streaming

now that you’re stopped
you see others the same as you
others on their way down
or gettin back up to do it again

but you make eye contact with some
help each other up
wipe each other’s tears

and together, decide to move differently

more softly

and choose to join
humankind instead