A Pool of Not-Ventured Waters

A pool of not-ventured waters
     before me.
New sights, sounds, smells,
     new people, places, things.
A whole other world of
     experiences.

Facing the other direction
     are friends.
Old familiar surroundings of
     laughter and good times,
Memories to last my lifetime of
     happiness.

But under the heat of
     burning change
I glance over my shoulder,
     I'll admit, into the cool blue
Of waters so beckoning with
     new excitement.

Without fail, friends and family
     pull me back,
Refocusing my attention to the
     very thing that's ending before me.
I nod acknowledgments as I turn towards the water
     with curiosity.

As I refocus yet again, I seek
     something not there.
In this old familiar circle of friends,
     where's the enticing excitement and rebellion?
The "because I can" and "because I want to" of the
     pool's waters?

After not finding what I'm looking for,
     I jump.
Cannon-ball into the waters and their
     new world of wonders.
As my friends and family alike, turn with
     a gasp.

I rise to the surface feeling
     refreshed.
The release of doing something for me;
     no worries of what they want.
The sporadic "just cause";
     no reason needed.

Concerned and worried, my old world
     looks to me.
Reaching out and begging that I
     "let them help" and climb out;
But not understanding "help what?"
     I tread water.