The Jump

I stand tall and still

My eyes scan the span of

Land before me with a mix of

Fear and determination.

The first step is always the hardest.

Heel first, roll through the palm of 

The foot until each toe

Touches the dirt path.

I walk slowly at first.

Heel toe,

Heel toe.

The first mile wide chasm

That I approach

Is equipped with a bridge and

Though it is rickety

And on the verge of collapse

I manage to trek across the

Span of ropes and planks

Until I’ve reached the other side.

It’s gotten warmer now.

The sun glares down at me

With white hot rays that blind my eyes

And burn through each layer of my skin.

My feet are bare, the soles blistered

From the harsh heat of the soil.

After countless miles of walking

I arrive at yet another gorge.

This particular crack in the ground

Has no bridge, but it is narrow.

So, I take a leap of faith

And land smoothly

On the other side.

To continue my trek

Beneath the scorching sun

To another gorge,

Another jump.

This time I almost don’t make it.

I wobble, arms flying forwards to

Steady my body as fear jolts

Through my bloodstream.

Shaky with nerves I walk

Several more miles

Till there’s yet another canyon

For me to cross.

By this time I’ve grown tired
,
My limbs are aching from

The constant movement

And lack of rest.

I pick up my pace

Heart hammering against

The underside of my ribcage

As I prepare to jump.

Time moves slowly

As my feet leave the ledge

And I soar through the thick air.

But I’ve miscalculated.

The gully is far wider than I anticipated.

Gravity kicks in and I plummet

Towards the rocky ground

Like a flightless bird.

The crash my body makes as it

Slams against the stones lining the bottom

Echoes eerily throughout the still afternoon air.

I can feel warm, sticky blood

Seeping through gashes in my skin

Where sharp sedimentary

Has pierced my flesh.

My skeleton has been shattered.

Yet somehow I still live..

The pain is unbearable,

My eyes gaze unblinkingly up

At the clear blue sky while it

Swirls around the scorching sun

And it taunts me.

It mocks my wounds

With it’s strength and it’s happiness

While I lay there

Broken, hurting,

And wishing for death.

Does anyone help?

No.

I’m forced to lay on the ground

Writhing in pain

Until time heals my wounds

And I’m able to stand again

Only to strain the newly healed limbs

By scaling the jagged wall of the chasm.

Eventually I reach the ledge.

Though I’m weak,

And it seems impossible

To continue on

I force my feet to move.

Heel toe

Heel toe..

So I can cross the next canyon.

So I can make the next jump.