WALKING THE TIGHT ROPE

Fate invited her on and the world fell behind her.
There was no choice but to step onto the tight rope.
She had never done this before and she's afraid.
Afraid of heights, afraid of falling, afraid of what's at the end.

She's not equipt for this perilous challenge.
Her feet are small and one is even flat.
Her knees are buckling from nervous anguish.
Her heart racing as tears start to blur her vision.

She musters up courage and takes one step.
Just one step but it looks like there's a thousand more.
She looks up and around, far out into the distance.
She senses there are others walking their own rope.

If she's not the only one, that gives her reassurance.
Maybe some have made it half way and others are done.
Perhaps there's a few that fell off into oblivion.
She at least needed to try and see what she's made of.

She notices even more things as her tears stop flowing.
There are two strings tied to each wrist that float upwards.
At the end of each line are balloons filled with children's love.
She's not terribly alone with these two beautiful spirits.

Her steps are still unsure but somehow feel lighter.
She is determined to make it even though the end is not in view.
Sometimes hot negative air tries to push and scare her.
She pretends not to feel his aggrevating tries to hinder her.

So we now leave this struggling creature to her task.
We'll see where fate will lead and how this will change her.
You will never know when it's your turn to risk it all.
Until that time, enjoy the solid ground on which you perch.


~ Marilen J. Sarian