independence on rollerblades

these shoes feel like wings. 

i am

f    l    y    i    n    g

across the newly grooved pavement, balancing

on pink wheels and scraped knees and a perfect morning

whispering you won't fall. someday i will glide straight

into the white house and spin around

with my arms out wide as the changing leaves swirl golden

around me. i'll write my own declaration

right then and there, in my wrist guards and helmet,

my name scrawled at the bottom in big looping letters

like the gentle curves of my body as i skate

towards freedom

and          f     a    l     l