one morning

i decided to go for a walk

on a path less traveled.

i stepped around jagged stones

and ducked under wayward branches

my sneakers squelching under fresh mud

following along this trail

to the unknown.

at first

i jumped at every sound

a twig snapping

a bush rustling

a creature chattering

afraid that i would get snatched up

punished for wandering

for testing my

limits.

but soon enough those sounds

became familiar

and the voices in my head turned

from trepidation to praise

and the brush cleared

and the mud dried

and i trusted my stomping feet

to steer me back home.