novellus-2015-16

ATOP A CLIFF
It’s the edge of terra firma,
The end of the world I know.
I stand here, feet trembling,
Not knowing where to go.
The solid ground beneath,
Reassuring presence of years,
I sense now, our trusted kinship,
Into unknown territory veers.
Stretched out above me, ahead,
As far as the reach of my eyes,
Splashes of warm, brilliant azure,
Colour the extent of the skies.
Mesmerized by their allure,
I hear them softly beckon me,
To jump, spread my wings,
Be the free bird I’ve wanted to be.
A hundred feet below me,
Ripples glisten as they dance,
Over the aquamarine deep,
Till the horizon, across its expanse.
Fascinated by its charm,
I feel it gently call me,
To dive, to sprout my fins,
And be a fish in the ethereal sea.
Yet I stand, rooted here,
Neither diving nor flying.
Numbed not by fear or dread,
But, neither apprehension defying.
Standing atop this cliff, I see,
From this vantage point surreal,
The magical possibilities of the morrow,
Oh, help me jump, dive - make them real!
- Katherine Rawlins
17