not requiring a rope ladder, my sneaky feet stealthily lead me down the stairs
and out the door. my parents’ snoring dreams harmonized with
the whir of their window fan. there among the trees, i shivered.

impulse danced with curiosity as i cast aside my shirt and shorts. how to commingle
with the earth? grass blades nipped at my toes, creatures tasted of my skin.
running first, i paused to slow my breath and knelt down in the moonlight.

the earth relaxed, allowing my hands to penetrate into her soft muddy folds.
swallowing first my fingers and and then engulfing every limb, i was not sinking
because i had already plunged. i was gone. my body overcome by release.