Lauren Wahlstrom, Junior, Educational Studies & English, Laguna Niguel, CA
At twilight, my eyes spy nature’s Glue-Stick.
A slow, squishy soft Sweetheart lumbering
smoothly off a ginger leaf. Its swirly
spirals of golden shell bear-semblance to
Athena’s ornately armored Helmet.
I watch it plop into the shaded grass.
I survey its sticky trail as it goes,
Devoted to the adventure ahead.
Glistening gluey residue secretes
Secrets out from under you—a visible
trail of breadcrumbs spills sticky whispers as
to where you are headed next. Light oak-bark
deepens in shade as your jelly-belly
gently slides over its craggy dry nooks.
My small, outstretched hands signal you to stay! —
Sliding farther and farther away
from your comfy green home, you
trek towards a cracked stony path
where blades of disorderly weeds impede
your travel shadows dance and dash in frenzy
fast Hurry the World’s blaring vibrations
reverberate through your supple skin and
Screams of honking cars and heavy-footed passerbys
Crush through the congested fevered air. Still,
You are Constant in the cacophony,
oozing Steadfast warmth as you push on through
toward growing grass and smooth ginger leaves.
Unfazed and unmatched, you fixate soft eyes
Upward. Ever mellow, I spy you slide
past the blinking street lights and rusted signs.
My fondness lies in your slow and steady
devotion.