Playing at Survival

Some of us hide
Put our heads into holes
Pull the covers up over our heads
Behind the rocks and trees of the wild
Under the water breathing through a hollow reed
Camouflaged with mud on the riverbank
Nothing showing but the slits of our eyes

Some of us run
We sprint towards the sunset
Never slowing with furtive looks behind
Racing in a car as fast as it can go
Barreling downhill on our bicycle
To build up a head of steam
Hoping that speed will keep us ahead of things

Some of us play possum
Lie upon our backs
Arms and legs stuck straight up in the air
Tongue lolling out
Scarcely daring to breathe
Smeared with our own shit
To give the stench of death
In case the enemy sniffs us
Just to make sure that we are dead

Some of us stand strong and fight
Swinging our battle-ax with all of our might
As to hew a mighty tree
We swing in a blind rage
Cutting at the enemy's knees
Blocking blows with our shield
Stabbing with our knife
Going hand to hand
When all else fails
Determined to win or die trying

Some of us
Live our lives
Observe our surroundings
And adjust to things as they go
Sometimes coming out ahead
Others times not so much
Aiming for the wreck
On the theory that it will be gone
By the time we get there
Bobbing and weaving
Keeping a steady pace
Playing the game
Changing little
Leaving a light footprint

How do you survive?