Every time I step down
I am reminded of the time
I almost lost you
sailing through the air
like a helpless paper plane
released without design
or steady direction.
That second toe broke
under the weight of fear
and joined my heart in a race
to save the world, my world,
our world; our complicated
love affair with consciousness.
It was 8 years ago and my core
has since slowed down and my
feet have gotten worn and rough,
but the memory protrudes from
that night’s crack in concentration
when I felt invincible; when I thought
you would always be mine. It now throbs
impermanence and chance—sends
waves of gratitude for near misses.
Aleathia Drehmer 2010
