sticking the landing in bed

i used to do a back

flip

off the diving board

at the public pool when i was

a boney kid,

waiting for

the girl i had my eye on

to see me

before i made my daring dive.

i'd spring with my

young legs

and spin

into the air, 

heels over head, landing

feet first into blue water

of the pool.

i think

about that dive done

decades ago

as i flop

down on my queen sized bed 

backwards,

jumping from

the floor,

nearly hitting

my head

on the headboard.

okay, okay,

i say to myelf, maybe

i'm not as flexible

as i used to be.

so i try it again, and once

more

until i land it perfectly,

my head hitting the pillows,

my body

landing into the mattress. 

receiving a solid ten

from all the judges,

except East Germany

who gives me a 7.