Carefully now

Cautiously
Once again I walk to the very edge
A concrete cliff overlooking crystal water
The waterfall, my nemesis
Each time I try
I watch
From a distance
Each child jumping, laughing, carefree, easy
I think, I watch, I analyze
How do they position their bodies?
Do they leap aimlessly from the edge,
Shouting joyfully during the fall?
Or do they gracefully, silently jump,
Slipping noiselessly into embracing waters?
Not a care in the world, not a thought in their minds
Can I do it also?
Dare I jump?
How will I look?
Will I remember to point my toes
Barely making a splash?
Or will I cannonball into that clean clear water
Announcing my presence like an aggressive salesman?
Maybe I should come back another day,
After I have thought about things for a while.
Or maybe,
just maybe,
Today I too will jump in.
Yes, I can, I will, I do,
I close my eyes,
And plunge.