The Stray Poem by Jessie Michaels

There is a place where I once sat as I
Journeyed to an unknown land.
And though perhaps I'd rest awhile
In the shade of a tree with a strange new fruit.

But as I stilled with intentions of rest
I could not but gaze up at the fruit
Which sparkled and shimmered in the cool dusk light
And swayed gently in the soft ocean breeze

So enchanted was I with this novel view
That I stepped upon a lowly branch
To gaze with keener eye upon
That which drew my attention from my path

But not enough had I seen so stepped
One branch further up the tree
And then one more and one more and one more
Until I was surrounded by fruits and leaves

And while I climbed I felt no fear
No calling from the ground below
‘Till leading hand a false branch grasped
Sending twig and fruit down, down

And as my vision descended with lost fruit's dive
I saw again the abandoned earth
And noticed dusk had come upon me yet
Dimming the light which would guide me down

I closed my eyes
What should I do
Jump, scramble, fall, cry out
I couldn't see the way back down, I closed my eyes


Now sometime later I heard a sound
A cry perhaps or was it a laugh
I stilled my thoughts and opened my eyes
Finding I still sat in the great tree

But morning had come and the sky was blue
The sun warmed my face, a bird played in the breeze
And below the road stretched on ahead
Guiding those, who would walk her path