Maple Tree

I climb up the cracking maple tree.
A familiar scent overpowers me.
Making me freeze on a thick branch.
The fresh autumn smell of crispness.
I continue up the fiery dragon.
Making quick steps before my weight causes thin branches to break.
Looking through the colorful array of leaves,
I imagine i'm on top of the world.
Nothing surrounds me except the camouflage of leaves.
I'm alone.
No voices or screams.
Only me and the occasional crunch of the cracking bark.
I stay there perched on the top branch for at least ten minutes.
Just breathing in the fresh clean air.
Slowly, sadly, the world comes back.
House by house.
Person by person.
Middle aged women pushing strollers along a grey sidewalk.
Young men teaching their child how to ride a bike.
I climb down from my hidden sanctuary and wander into the musty house.
I push open the door and step around empty beer cans.
He slowly walks around the corner.
I see him smile so slyly.
"And just where have you been?"
He asks, now face to face with me.
I smell the liquor on his breath.
I try to say nowhere but nothing comes out.
He slowly unbuckles his belt and I close my eyes.
I'm back on the maple tree.