the soft landing

at times we hang onto

the cliff

as if our lives

depended on it.

our fingers digging

into the jagged

stone.

afraid of the fall.

afraid

of breaking bones,

shattering our

bodies on the cold 

rocks below.

we can hardly look

down, until

exhausted,

we have to let go,

and then

surprised that it was

only a few feet in 

falling to the soft

earth below.