The Precipice

The Precipice, Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada, July 2003, Sony Cybershot, Exposure 1/130 sec @ f5.6, ISO 100, no flash © Steven Crisp

Hesitantly, step by step, inch by inch
You move forward while clinging to the rocks
you edge yourself tantalizingly, terrifyingly close
to the precipice, and peek into the abyss

All around you the wind is whirling about,
Pushing you closer, calling you over, shouting at you
You feel chilled, from the cold or your own fear?
You look over the edge, and pray not to fall

You see the waves, surging in and out, flashing
captivating colors of turquoise and aquamarine
You feel the power of the sea, hear its throaty roar,
smell its salty breath, so close it could take you if it wished

Or if you wished. You understand its message ... its grace.
A sacrifice is what it asks - not here, not now, but soon
And into greater depths, where siren songs are muted,
And artists palettes are muddied. Deeper, deeper still.

Over the precipice of your mind, and into the fertile void
Let go of your ego's ledge, and jump with all abandon.
You must surrender who you are, and freefall to your source
At once terrifying, and at the same time serenely beautiful.