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
