I feel cautious now,
deliberated
placed like
a chess piece
dodging snowballs fearing coldness,
steering away from rocky paths,
methodically scrubbing my teeth, ears, elbows, feet
I want to be worn
smooth like a river pebble.
I want to crawl up trees
with twigs twisting my hair
inhaling the green tang
of new leaves
scratching bark onto my cheeks.
I feel removed now
misplaced
like a spare key
under a rock
beside a bush
scattered deliberately with dirt.