Precipice.

This precipice before me
has sharp edges
and nothing soft below

No guarantee of safety
(more like assurance of
utter failure)

I want to jump

These people around me
care greatly for my well being
and whisper to me of caution

They think they know my limitations
(more like they don’t know
my capabilities)

I want to jump

I can feel their hands
on my shirt tails -
They hold me close
(they hold me back)

Their caring feels like fear
Their caution feels like jealousy
Their hands feel like shackles

I want to jump

They don’t understand
Fearlessness
(recklessness)
strength
(overconfidence)
determination
(stubbornness)

They don’t hear the song
the wind makes as it blows
past this precipice

I want to jump

I shut my ears to their words
And listen instead with my heart
The open air calls me

I step to the edge
Embrace the wind
Hear nothing but my truth

I want to jump

I am not them
I am not like them
I am not bound by them

I will step to the edge and leap
For I would rather spread my wings and fall
Then never try to fly