Today I am on top of the world, I said
then looked down
already feeling the drop
in my belly.

I wanted
finally
the middle
ground:
air neither thin nor suffocating
rocks not sharp or grand.
Just my hair falling down ,
the center of my back
wind twirling it
whenever it wants.

I walked and walked
letting my toes rub the sides of my sandals
until red and bothered
and still said hello in a most ordinary way
to every person.

I did not want the things
I have chased: secret tunnels,
frozen peaks, permission.