squirrels scampering up the trunk of an old pine
children neatly padding and smoothing their mud pastry
as if they are going to eat a chocolate mess
the touch of grainy earth goo on their small hands as
laughter erupts all around with their mud-painted faces
Me?
parents yelling like wild boars
perched in the dark closet as I imagine a warm sunny day with the sparrows cry and a beautiful blue jay chirping
it only makes tears run down my baby cheeks with muffled cries
early morning
ice cold with a touch of matte gray fog
my young mind finally at ease
take a deep breath
hear
The Birds.
--Jenessa R., 6th-8th Grade