Halfway up the cliff face
That's as far as I've ever gone
Because halfway up the cliff face
Is where the easy route ends
The only way forward beyond this point
A daring leap to the next handhold
Abandoning the safety of the ledge under my feet
Taking a chance
Other climbers have made their way past
Taken the leap and kept climbing upward
And others have scrabbled at the wall, just short
Falling away to God knows where
How easy to say to each one who comes by
"The climb has been pretty easy so far
I could make the jump if I wanted to
But I'm good here, thanks"
Celebrated for climbing as far as I have
Lauded for doing it with such ease
That's enough for me
Isn't it?
Refusing to jump means I won't ever fall
But I won't ever get anywhere, either
What's up there, anyway? Curiosity
Is starting to get to me
My muscles have gotten cold
I've been sitting here far too long
I try and shake the stiffness out
It's time to move forward
That handhold up there seems awful small
I'm not so sure I have what it takes
To make the jump anymore
But I'll never know if I don't try
Catch or fall I will hold my head high
Knowing I gave it everything
I crouch, taking a deep breath
There's no going back
Muscles explode into motion
Propelling me upward
And I stretch, reaching
For the next hold