Flooded Home

California quizzed me from the sidelines. I held up three fingers in response. Not enough, the trees motioned. Pinecones beckoned me forward. I took one step and then another. My legs folded underneath me. Angels came to collect my clothes. And before I knew it I stood naked before the Lord of the Forest. He held out a branch. I grasped it. Wind chimes circled in the distance. I heard them building a small city out of tones. I watched as feathers filled up my lungs. I gasped out loud, choked and popped. My left hand shot up and in one small flash the scene was gone. I was home sitting on my couch. Language lined the bookshelves. I took myself down from the gateway and flooded home.