The Small Squirrel

350. The Small Squirrel

—

she was a small squirrel

and the road was lightly traveled

she ran to the middle

then saw me and stopped

—

I slowed my car

grateful for no traffic

she darted farther across

then spun around

and headed back

toward the safer side

where she had started

—

I stopped the car

she froze

in the middle of the road

shaking in confusion

—

she pulled herself together

as squirrels will do

looked once at me

then turned and

resolutely walked

ahead of me down the road

in the middle of my lane

—

I smiled and let her

slowly lead the way

and thought how often

I have ached to do the same

—

let go the choosing

and walk the center line