April 16th - Gu

He knows a little bit about
hitting the wall. He's a machine
that choked its fuel down to
the very last glycogenated drop

and sputters wearily into
the fueling station - ding ding -
gripping a twenty in his mitts
and singsonging with his very last gasp

"Sweet Lou, Sweet Lou,
I need a kiss from you,
Baby I've gone too far
and honey I need some sugar."

He grabs a cup of water
and dips his tongue in Gu,
a honey-pot of sweet sensation
and tangy satisfaction,

endless in the darkened well
at the local filling station.
At first his stomach starts to flip
but it settles once it realizes

just how sweet and sour the stuff
he's gulping down his throat
is at this very moment. It's the texture
of robitussin cough suppressant

but the flavor of some exotic fruit,
and it fills his cup to overflowing,
giving him the energy to finish the race
instead of rolling over and falling asleep on the course.