those days when I bent and twisted
reached my eleven year old body
into a tree, held on and balanced
I dared to look up
I dared to look down

those days when I felt so high
I would settle like a bird
edge my hands into pockets for sweets
take in the world from my hidden perch
take on the world with my open mind

my sky was green and young and full of song
my mother’s scolding as lasting as wind in leaves
and I made promises, I tried at least
but they were fickle muttered vows
we all knew I couldn’t keep

that urge to creep into a tree’s world
felt as natural as earth and laughter and rain
it didn’t fade with age
these days my perch may be lower
but you’ll find me reaching for the green again