Early Autumn
H ANNA M ARIE G UNDERSON I am seven, and I can spell almost every word I know. The leaves make tunnels for me in the backyard woods. Inside I am invisible to all people and sounds are airplanes, scratching, voices, and chainsaws. Sometimes birds fly up close to me if I am quiet. When I move they fly away. I am seven. Mom and Dad have voices that taste like rubber bands. I will sing for you if you want. Under my bed is a secret box of marbles that I found in the garage. Today at school we learned about rhymes which I already knew but couldn’t name. Listen to me. Bird eyes, lies, surprise.
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