Gravity

For an ailing friend

She was a skydiver flyin' high on that careless combination -

dopamine and adrenaline -

rushin' through the lace-thin air so fast she didn't care

about its lack of oxygen.

So high on life, I doubt she thought she'd ever need the parachute,

that slow bailout, to keep her safe,

yet somehow I saw her there, pullin' that blasted cord,

spreadeagled in the air.

I wish could say somethin' profound to neatly, gently close the gap

between the sky and ground,

but damned if Lady Gravity, all dressed bleedin' skulls and broken hearts,

would surrender her finality.

Falling's part of life, I guess, so while she's speedin' down to earth,

cryin' out with every breath,

I'll pull the corner of my rescue sheet so tight she'll bounce on it.

C'est la vie, you see: fly, fall, repeat.

 

 

Reviews

[Heretic]

I see what you mean by imagery. You definitely nail that down in this piece. This was very good. I enjoyed it.

She was a skydiver flyin' high on that careless combination -
dopamine and adrenaline -

**That line captured my attention at the get-go. Good job.

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Emily Rose,

"C'est la vie--dopamine and adrenaline". That is certainly life. And yes "gravity", just like life, will never change, will never spare you. This is a topic that I know you know I have dealt with repeatedly in my poetry. It is so profound and so final.

You capture the mercy of drugs for the sick. But this does not spare the loved ones and those that love. We stand by and watch with horror for the inevitable, the sudden stop at the end of the jump.

Excellent poem. Technical comments follow.

"I wish could say somethin' profound to neatly, gently close the gap". Typo.

"I'll pull the corner of my rescue sheet so tight she'll bounce on it.
C'est la vie, you see: fly, fall, repeat."

I'm confused about the "repeat" part. Was this final or not? This seems like a wish and then it seems like...I don't know what. This needs clarification.

Your usual expert job.

Highest regards,

Rick

[James K. Blaylock]

I really enjoyed this poem. Sometimes we've no idea what is best for us.

jkb