Highdive

Standing on the high dive

Timidly, I look down

Into the water

That seems so far away

 

My legs begin to shake

A knot tightens in my gut

I take baby steps to the edge

Aware of my overexposure

 

I think back to the

Climb up the ladder

The invigorating rush

And complete absence of fear

 

The board wobbles and

My heart pounds

Will I slip and

Fall to my death?

 

Or even just to my embarrassment?

Having to endure the surprise

And the laughter

Of the crowd

 

I’m no longer a child.

Belly-flopping into the depth

Thirty feet below

Is no longer a viable option

 

I stand on the edge of the board

And look down

To my surprise no one seems to be watching

Except for the young person behind me

 

Impatient and ready to dive

With no fear at all; lucky fool

And then there is you standing

Beside the pool, already dripping wet

 

Smiling up at me with expectation

In your eyes

And I can’t help but

Smile back

 

And jump

Not a dive �" no grace or expertise

Not head first this time

I haven’t the confidence

 

But feet first and with

All my energy

 

As I fall through the air

I hope that you will be

There smiling still with pride

As I emerge

 

 

Reviews

[The Raven King]

This is well written and the specifics make it stand out as real and substantial. I like the message of this poem