Time to Do the Thing

Falling backward into the pool--
That was a dare when we were kids
To lean and lean and fall
And hope against hope to land without pain
Into the open jaws of the water.

Silly us.
What was the danger?
That we might miss?
That the water might not be there?

Not likely.

What was likely:
That we might not hold ourselves right
And the water might slap us
Like an angry mother,
That we might descend into pain

If our form were wrong.

And that was so very possible.

That was then.
We were kids; it was a dare.

Now it's time to do the thing
Face first
With our eyes open.