Trestles
Peels of laughter ricochet off trees surrounding the road.
Wings flap,
Birds rise out of the pines en masse
As our tribe veers off the dirt road
Descending into the woods.
The scent of teen awkward and angst
Hangs in the humid air, fragrant with honeysuckle.
Rocks clatter into the ravine.
Heat radiates off the tracks.
My heart beats faster, pounding beneath my ribs.
Trepidation as I step out onto the trestle,
Daring a train to come around the bend.
I get quiet,
Watching the distance to the ground
Peeking between boards.
Everything falls away, fades and softens.
I focus on each board.
One foot in front of the other,
I will myself across and back again to safety.
The trees come back into focus.
Laughter fills my ears.
Relief fills my chest.
I jog to catch up on the dirt road,
Joining my brother, my cousins kicking dirt clouds,
Sucking the sweet nectar from honeysuckle blooms.
Ready for our next adventure.