THE CORNER

Freedom arrived before escape.

She peeked one eye around the corner.

Left.
Right.

The coast was clear.

She lifted one leg
and placed it carefully.

Then the next.

Allowing the rest of her
to follow slowly behind.

With one breath,
her entire body moved into the open.

Then they released the hounds. 

Her ability to outrun
the four-legged beasts
had long since disappeared.

But for that brief moment,
when the wind filled her lungs,

she was free.