escape

cracking the pane
letting a gulp of cold air in

i jump out the window
dashing through the yard
over the rusty clothes line
leaving slush footprints behind
muddy boots, thoughts
reaching for the road

more side roads,
less highways

shedding the bulky knit mittens
fingers wiggling in the wind
coat, gone
breathing again

running
running
i'm gone

the neighbors shake heads
visible through their kitchen windows
spying on my sloppy trail
left so you could come too