Not Swallowing Your Pride

The fear was real and lived inside

It wasn’t the height, it was the downhill slide.

That downhill drop from a lofty height

That I was sure would leave my stomach not feeling right.

The dread was over powering too

And while I longed to do what others do –

To buckle in for the fast ride,

Each time I had to swallow my pride.

I would tell my friends that I was just too afraid

To climb in that seat and actually stay

Until the last twist and turn of the fast paced ride

Would then return them back to my side.

But finally one day I had been teased enough

And decided for once I had to be tough

And not swallow my pride, to keep my will strong

To take just one risk and pray it would not be wrong.

The ride began and my knuckles turned white

But as it turned out, my friends were right.

I did not throw up nor did I die

When it felt like we were flying right through the sky.

Instead it was actually a lot of fun

And now that ride is first place I run

When I get to the amusement park with all of my friends

And ride the coaster until the night ends.