Dismissing every little
bit—of gravel
with a nonchalant kick
from each
of a pair of dusty
eager sneakers—my little body turned
and moved
toward looming
sun and streets
and what
it felt
was surely freedom—
without so much as
even pausing—
to consider
the reciprocal
boon that had just
been granted
in relinquishing
those humble
eons-
old pebbles.