one way or another
you will fall

you could muster the strength
to overcome the fears
and jump
with eyes wide open

or
the earth will shatter beneath your feet
and after a long and terrifying fall
you will land safely,
dust yourself off,
and open your eyes

or
when the ground begins to crumble
you could seize at the sharp weeds
and claw your way back,
with bloody hands
the dark is scary with your eyes closed.

you will fall again

you will fall
because gravity beckons
summoning you to someplace new
leap in acquiescence
or be pulled without volition

you will fall
but it will pass
as all things must
the good, the bad
the highs and lows
the pains and pleasures
the fears, the forevers

and from all you will grow
welcome to unknown

(CIRCA SEPT 2022)