round eyes peaked through the leaves

             I walked on a paved trail, leaving the city behind.  It was another perfect day—clear blue sky, gentle sun rays, and a calm breeze.  There was a small plane, like those that fly by sporting events advertising insurance, pulling an American flag across the sky.  It made a turn and the flag whipped around catching on a wing.  The plane spun out of control, nose pointing to the ground, altitude rapidly decreasing.  Like a deer caught in headlights, I stared as its nose aimed directly at where I stood.  Finally, as if pulling my feet out of molasses, I surged forward as the small plane, wrapped in the flag, crashed to the ground next to me.  I expected an explosion, but none occurred.  Continuing down the path, I distanced myself from the crash site as fast as I could in case it erupted in flames. 

            I entered a dense forest and all around, large ferns rolled out new shoots, chipmunks and lizards rustled through brown leaf litter, woody lianas wound through branches and climbed tall trunks toward the early summer sun, and colorful birds fluttered and twittered among leafy treetops.  The ground sloped down sharply, but the trail did not, becoming a hanging path—long and winding, remaining flat as the ground fell away.  I tentatively placed a foot on the shaky wooden planks and transferred my weight until I was sure it would hold me.  Ropes hung at waist level allowing me to reach out to steady myself.

  

            Walking along the wobbly path, I peered down to the forest floor.  From above, it was a carpet of new green from which large trees reached up to the vast sky above.  Hovering in this middle ground between earth and sky, I felt as if I was intruding; eavesdropping on some secret that natural ground-dwellers weren’t suppose to hear. 

            Suddenly, the green ground began to move, and round eyes peaked through the leaves.  I held my breath, not daring to move, as short, scrawny, two-legged creatures emerged from the undergrowth, stretching long blue arms and yawning.  They didn’t seem to see me standing above them, and I didn’t want to interrupt, so I quietly and quickly walked on, leaving them be.

            The path twisted and curved around the trees, still hovering above the ground.  Rounding another turn, the earth dropped down further and I stood above a sandy beach.  The yellow and tan grains stretched ahead to the horizon.  The forest loomed behind me and ran along the beach opposite the water.  There were a few people walking along the shore, enjoying the azure water.  The suspended trail gently snaked its way down to the sand.

            Before I reached the end of the wooden planks, the calm breeze became a strong wind and the sea began to roil and churn.  Tall waves pounded the shore, and the people on the beach gathered their belongings, staying away from the reaching waters.  I backed up the hanging path, keeping an eye on the angry swells as they grew and multiplied.

            Suddenly, creatures began to walk out of the waves.  They looked like the extinct Tyrannosaurus Rex—large oblong heads, sharp teeth bared.  The creatures walked into the shallows and onto the beach on strong hind legs, stunted arms reaching out ahead.  As far as I could see, countless creatures emerged from the sea and onto the beach.  I turned back to the forest, walking up the path, out of reach of the wild waves and strange T-Rex-like creatures. 

            Joined by the beach goers, the trail was crowded as we rushed through the forest, passing the tiny blue creatures foraging in the lush green undergrowth.  Reaching solid ground, I let out a breath I had been holding.  Strange things were happening in the forest and on the beach, and a plane had crashed in the clearing ahead. Behind me and in front of me were confusion and uncertainty, but this place felt safe.  My feet were on the ground, along with the little animals that scurried through the undergrowth.  Beneath this, in the soil, worms and insects worked and snakes made their homes.  Above me, trees stretched their branches to the blue sky, where birds and butterflies reigned.  That all made sense to me; I wanted to stand on that patch of ground forever.