She looked out the window
at the sun-striped yard
the oaks standing like guardians
to the gates of heaven
and imagined being a different girl
She looked out the window
and wondered where the curving road
beyond the forest would take her
if she dared step beyond the door
She looked out the window
at the blue jay splashing in the water
making waves in the glass birdbath
and thought how it would feel
to be free and wild
She looked out the window
at the billowing slow-moving clouds
and ached to travel with them
to lands and scents unknown
She looked out the window —
just one step —
just one —
She pulled the curtains over the window
shutting out a life
she could only live in her dreams
StoryGirl 