that 2nd step...

7 of 30
 
 
she stepped boldly off a cliff
eyes open wide
spreading wings untried
& my gods...
you should have seen that girl fly
in a clear blue sky she grew more confident  
sure she could soar at last
but a storm blew in & she was caught in the blast
startled by sudden turbulence  
she plummeted toward the ground
trembling & crumpled  
heart thundering & battered
fractured wings curled protectively around
her
stability shattered
as whispers in her ear offered much needed hope
she raised her head & rose to her feet
desperate to reclaim the exhilaration of flight
a tentative step took her straight to the edge
closing her eyes & sucking in a deep breath
one foot at a time...she leapt again
faltered...steadied...& once more she flew
only then did she recognize the truth
she put all her faith in the steadiness of a breeze
not even recognizing...
...the strength of her own wings
yet I can't help my intense feeling of pride
in the face of her fear & still healing wounds
...she braved another leap
proving...in my opinion...
sometimes the 2nd step...
...really is the hardest