Dive
Dive
You asked me
to jump.
I'm standing
at the edge.
Looking down.
The water…
deep.
Dark.
I can't see
the bottom.
My hands
are shaking.
You're already in.
Treading water.
Smiling up at me.
"Come on,"
you say.
Like it's easy.
Like I haven't drowned before.
Love is just drowning
with someone who promises
to pull you up
but might forget.
I want to.
God,
I want to.
But my feet
won't move.
Last time
I jumped…
I hit rocks.
Not water.
Rocks.
And everyone wondered
why I was so broken
when I climbed back up.
You're still waiting.
Still smiling.
"Trust me,"
you say.
And I want to scream…
Trust isn't the problem.
The problem is
I've already decided
to jump.
I'm just terrified
of how much
it's going to hurt
when I hit.
The bravest thing I've ever done
is love someone
after loving destroyed me.
My toes curl
over the edge.
One more second.
One more breath.
You reach up…
as if you could catch me
from down there.
As if that's how this works.
I close my eyes.
And I
jump.
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Jump with ease.
Promise to catch yourself even if your lover doesn't.
Very beautiful piece!
"The bravest thing I've ever done
is love someone
after loving destroyed me.'
Oooooh lovely, Shadia. I enjoyed reading this poem. Restacking!