The pool is cold.
I look down from the high dive,
Arms shivering, or,
Maybe trembling.
It’s hard to distinguish between
Cold feet and fear.
The diving board is
Too high for me to climb,
Back down to the crowd.
The fastest way down is
The most terrifying, but
I can’t seem to make my legs move.
The wind blows, sending chills.
I unlock my foot from its
Root on the board.
Quicksand, pulling me
Back down,
Back down.
But that one step,
That small, insignificant,
Step.
Allows me to take,
Another.
And another.
Until I’m standing on the edge.
Looking down at the space
Between me and the water.
I take one more step,
And fall,
And splash.
- Tom Malone