Raiya Allen

Beyond the Marigold

It was a cold, breezy morning on the coast. The wind whistled as the dew dripped off the leaves so carelessly falling onto the pavement. I caressed the soft leaves of the trees as I walked slowly along the hiking trail. “Deep breath in,” I say aloud, slowly exhaling while my dog sniffs a nearby tree. He lifts his leg to do his business. I take a puff, and exhale. I wait for him to finish while a hummingbird sits on a distant branch peeking out through the leaves every now and then.