• When you were little, endure
    your parents’ warnings, then wait
    for them to leave the room,
    pry loose protective covers
    and consider inserting some metal
    object into an electrical outlet?

    Did you wonder if for once
    you might light up the room?

    When you were big enough
    to cross the street on your own,
    did you ever wait for a signal,
    hear the frenzied approach
    of a fire truck and feel like
    stepping out in front of it?

    Did you wonder just how far
    that rocket ride might take you?

    When you were almost grown,
    did you ever sit in a bubble bath,
    perspiration pooling,
    notice a blow dryer plugged
    in within easy reach, and think
    about dropping it into the water?

    Did you wonder if the expected
    rush might somehow fail you?

    And now, do you ever dangle
    your toes over the precipice,
    dare the cliff to crumble,
    defy the frozen deity to suffer
    the sun, thaw feather and bone,
    take wing to fly you home?