Take a breath,
I am standing at the edge,
toes curled on the tough granite
the wind at my back telling me go on
yet the water below is haunting.

I commit to the fear
launch myself out,
  out
  down
and I wonder at this leap of faith
  down
My senses dulled by the water around me
for a moment I live in this world between myth and reality
then hard strokes push me to the golden light, above.

I surface, smiling
water in my eyes,  ears ringing with my own shout,
heart a metronome of excitement
every cell  alive and rejoicing.

I swiftly swim to shore
mind already back on the cliff.
Knowing the fear
and anticipating the joy

of the fall.