0 First Jump

Five pairs of feet moved in unison,

shuffling toward the beast,

sitting on stubby legs,

jowls agape vacant it's entrails.

We filled the void.

The engine belched and roared.

The plane lurched down the runway,

like a wounded animal.

I tore my eyes from the earths recession,

looking at the faces looking at me.


I stood in the doorway,

I had to descend with grace.

I threw myself into nothingness.

There was a swirl of panic,

a sheet snapped in the breeze,

my body jerked to a halt.

I looked up at the white cloud,

painted against the sky.

Mother earth welcomed me.

A pickup came bounding,

hands pulled me aboard.

we laughed and yelled,

telling the world,

how we were,

having forgotten,

how we had been.

--Oscar W., 80