Taking the Leap

It was the perfect ending to a perfect day
An adrenaline rush in Queenstown, New Zealand

The challenge had been made, the hemming and hawing resolved
Finally the decision to take the leap

After endless paperwork and liability waivers
The long walk out to the platform looking down over the city

It was a picture perfect day with curulean skies
Shimmering relections like diamonds from Lake Wakatipu

400 feet to the ground and unforgiving deceleration
Countered by a Swiss seat harness and inch-and-a-half elastic cord

Connections made and double checked, a final once over
Then the running leap to adventure and surprisingly to freedom

A quite moment of silence, fighting off the urge to call it all off
Then the sprint of a lifetime up and out leaping with all my might

Then 1.5 seconds of sheer terror as I my left foot left the platform
Feeling gravity's merciless and undeniable tug, a whole body chill that was numbing

Swallowing the need to scream, tears streaming down my face
Feeling ovewhelming fear and the strongest sense of being alive

Then the reassuring slowing and a final stop
Followed by dampening up and down bouncing

As my heart pounded in my chest I felt unmistakable joy and freedom
Being free to finally face other fears holding me powerless, granting me the courage to say "enough"