The Walk

Originally published in Odyssey 2023: Rejuvenation.

I used to be fearful. 

Of everything. 

Of nothing. 

Caged by my own criticism, 

I never pushed the odds. 

Never took chances. 

 

But I did that day 

as dusk began to hit. 

I made a decision to walk. 

No destination. 

No timeframe. 

Not even a flashlight. 

  

I walked with an earbud in, 

listening to music. 

The thoughtful, philosophical kind. 

I crossed the street 

without a thought of being hit. 

I cut through the grass 

without jumping as the leaves skittered around. 

Cars drove past me 

without a single catcall. 

I walked 

without a thought 

except that of the poetry of nature. 

And as I got close to home, 

putting pen to paper.