Thursday, July 23, 2009

Poem: Leap

Leap

Far too long you have lingered near the shoreline,
easing into the clear green waters slowly,
safely lowering yourself inch by inch,
feeling the torturous cold again and again,

until finally you are in swimming
amazed that once in,
the waters are perfect,
that you can feel the sun

on your back as you stroke
across the quarry. But today,
for reasons that defy you,
you climb to the marble precipice,

and not allowing yourself to think,
you leap,
and discover the exhilaration
of falling into the water's embrace, amazed

that the moment of courage,
is not a moment after all,
but a beginning.

=============

The picture was taken at the Dorset Quarry, the nation's first marble quarry, now a favorite swimming hole in the area. My son and I spent the afternoon there today. You can click on the image for a larger version.

Tom

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Tom,

No matter what, you wouldn't get me leaping off that rock!

gingerhillery@mac.com said...

Waaaahhh! I want to leap but think I will stay on the side with a good book. Too cold for me! My children, on the other hand, would need absolutely no encouragement.