O the Indignity of It All

Last summer when hiking with some friends We came to a place where the trail ends A road had been cut and stolen the trees An 18 year old balanced the side When all of the sudden his mother did cry Get off that ledge have you lost your mind And then all of the others with her did chime I said you guys are silly he’s not going to fall Anyone could do it anyone at all All walked on, they had saved his neck I looked and stared and said what the heck As my friends walked on I stood on the ledge Started to balance then looked over the edge Far, far below all rocks, okay boulders I realized I hadn’t done this since I became older The only thought that came was Oh man this is gonna a hurt My arms flailing quickly all my senses alert I know I looked like an idiot jerking forward and back But then all my friends turned and went on attack So much cussing and screaming had they all lost their minds Tried though I might no voice I could find With everything in me came the smallest of “help" My friend reached and grabbed me And threw me to the ground Then all of my friends did gather around I couldn’t get up so hard I did laugh Then I stood to plead sanity on my own behalf Look I’m as shocked as you I used to do this in my sleep I thought that as you grew older At least your balance you could keep After my laughter subsided Indignity sunk in I hadn’t felt so very old Since I couldn’t remember when I vowed right then before we left That before my next birthday I’d go back and walk that ledge No matter what they had to say So in the middle of summer If my pen should suddenly mute Just know that I am mending And my pride is following suit