This is second nature to me, this stepping into thin air
Feeling nothing beneath your feet. No solid ground
To hold you up, to banish all despair
No. Nothing but space on every side – and up and down
No hand holds, no parachute, no railings, no rope.
A universe unknown and dark below but not without hope.
This is where you tilt your head and gaze toward the stars
And breathe in deeply – again – again – again – don’t look down,
Chin up – up -up. It’s who you are, who you’ve always been.
And who knows why but step you will and step you must
Across the great divide that separates those who merely live
And those who lust for life – before they turn to dust.
(written on the occasion of another right turn)
Susan McElroy
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