The first time I climbed to the top
of the way high dive
I was seven and afraid to jump,
wanted to retreat back down that
long
long
long
long
ladder.
I stood shaking, hugging myself,
caught between glory and shame.
And then I saw my dad
treading calmly in the water below.
“It’s okay,” he called, “I’ve got you.”
And there was no courage in me,
only trust in him,
as I stepped into space and flew.