u/TechnicalDream9539

I walked on padded toes to the front door and peeped out at all the noise and shapes, loud and large and equally looming.

I wanted so badly to dash over the porch and pound my heels into the dirt before cartwheeling through the excitement.

But I worried in that tedious moment and let hesitation steal the thunder from my legs and lightning from the spirit wings jutting from my shoulder blades.

I wasn’t ready to be another thing on display for all of the ravenous eyes and malnourished lives ready to sap my soul from me.

I never needed to explain but in the moment I let the specter of feeling like I needed to be understood get the best of me.

And if I’d seen you standing at the edge of the crowd I might have asked you, if you could hear me without my having to shout, is this something like you felt that crept in and took your courage from you?

And I would try to remember to figure the average of your bravest and weakest moments before letting anyone take my measure, then hope that would be enough to let the life back in my limbs.