A RECKLESS CLIMB ELLEN ROSE, 11
A reckless climb I climbed a tree before a storm to see the world above The sky was grey and I couldn’t say why did it ever thereof the green fronds feathers of a dove, ivy sweet like a forgotten love Sap sweet aroma covers my fi ngers like a silken glove Higher and higher Branches scraped against my skin teasing lines of red yet still I climbed as rolling clouds obscured the homestead I yelled up to the sun the wind snatched away sorrow left unsaid The hawks black against the sky dance together newlywed Higher and higher Desperate in the branches crawling towards the sun Lightning crackles, the thunder like the of a gun Rain like a thousand stones against my skin the tempest just begun The wind searching fi ngers made of ice as my hair fl ew undone Higher and higher The whole tree shook and I missed took Deer branches for home and safety nook I strain for one fi nal look Higher and higher Hands holding on to tight, eyes reaching toward the sky I whispered and said goodbye One day to reach the clouds, bemoaning this ill-fated try Hands reaching down words, listening to the winds cry Lower and lower
12
