Afraid To Stop Trying

I saw myself with loaded arms
A laden back, and strained hands
Determined to carry my burdens,
To carry them all at once,
and Alone.

I was nearing the middle of my way.
My back ached, my arms were bruising under weight,
my hands had deep impressions,
But I would not drop anything, would not call out, would not stop.

Blood pounded in my temples, heat blurred my eyes,
But pleasure in the less-important lies, in truth, in lies.
Half way on my path I couldn't step, my arms failed, I collapsed in tears,
Unable even to free my hands to wipe them away.

This is what is means to say, "I am afraid to stop trying."