Master Class

Start on the tip of edge and of border.
Air no cushion, just a stall to the drop
from ridge to gully, valley, canyon floor.

Don’t face the fall.  Don’t look down.
You’re going in the hard way.
With luck and magic, you’ll be okay.

Start the backwards march — go toward the ahead,
while facing the left-behind.
You will trip and fall, sky-faced;

just before impact, some force
will flip you — trust us, we’ve been there.
You’ll land on your feet with the cliff before you.

Begin to walk backwards. It will be painful,
but work it till you speak cramp
like a mother tongue, offering a praise chorus

to the pain of gain.  You’ll see
new ground but you’ll know that
only after you pass it.