Not Tree Climbing

by Clarissa in the middle of the road, staring at a pretty bird

Her shoes are gray and worn

And just a bit too big

They stand awkwardly upon the rough branch

Shivering as she hugs the trunk of

This tree

I've never climbed a tree before

She admits, and I say that's fine

There's a first time for everything

And you can see

The world from here. Isn't it beautiful?

And she says yes

Because they taught her lying in school

Not tree climbing

I nod, like I believe her, and she asks

Can I go down now?

And I suppose she finds

It disconcerting to see the world

Spread out like a map. Flat

And far too easy to see where you're heading