With every step I take, there’s a creak in the floor 

Could there be a screw loose? Broken hinge on the door?

Walking up another stair, I spot a tiny crack in the wall

I blink and now the crack starts to crawl

The whole structure, the whole tree house, it begins to dismantle 

And then, of course, the door detaches from the handle

I turn around and begin to make my escape

Until the floor beneath my feet starts to break

I try to run quicker but the damage migrates at a speed I can’t achieve 

Now I’m faced with the fear that I may NEVER leave

It’s like wanting to get off a roller coaster but you’re already strapped in

Like choosing to play a game that you know you’ll never win

“This is a mindset,” I tell myself. “It’s your fear talking, tree houses are fun!!”

“Oh really?” I think, “then why am I having none?”

The ground disappears from underneath my feet

My chest starts burning and my heart fills up with heat 

Suddenly the voice in my head orders “Open your eyes!!!” 

And now I’m back in a place that I recognize

I’m standing in the same tree house, feeling relief so strong I had to yell

Then it hits me. I’m okay because I never- actually- fell