going for it

thin line blade sharp

between will and wish

up high board

look down clear blue

you know that feeling

the world over

we have all stood in that second split

ready to springboard high dive

jump air lungs full

ecstatic motion

and when we were young

how many times

did we run and stop

look down turn away paled

the height the fear too much

each time weaker than the last

like we already knew the first time

that we wouldn’t do it

and now suspended

hanging on our toes

invisible wires bind our arms

over the view blinkers straight

yearning wrenching heart longing

stretching out of reach

the carrot

looking delicious succulent

tempting reeking ticking the hairs

in our noses

now to pluck it

but

perhaps

not

 

(Berlin, 1985)