Toes curling around the edge of the flat roof
24 stories, 242 feet above the sidewalk
He had studied it and knew it would take
Four seconds to hit the ground at 70 mph
He would be dead 4 seconds after jumping
What he didn’t know was what he would think
In these 4 seconds while accelerating to 70 mph
Would, as they say, his life flash before his eyes?
Cramming 40 years of life into 4 seconds,
One second per 10 years, seemed impossible
He hated his life, so why re-live it?
Maybe he should sing, or recite a poem
Anything to keep his life from flashing
Or maybe he would be so scared his
Mind would be empty except for the scream
Would he think about the impact, on how
It would be to hit the sidewalk at 70 mph?
Would he feel anything? Anything at all?
Would he have an out-of-body experience,
Hover above and see himself get splattered?
He willed himself to take a step forward
But instead took a step backwards
Four seconds was way too long!
-
Author:
Alfred Peyer (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: December 16th, 2017 22:43
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 30
- Users favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet
Offline)
Comments4
Very good write Fred, that step forwards or backwards may come to all of us sometimes but taking that step backwards is always the one to take, life has so much more for us to see (even at our age).
Thanks, Goldfinch, especially at our age!!! By now we know how good life can be!
I have never ever felt I wanted to end my life but this vivid and intriguing poem brings home the dilemma for those who do - a really superb piece of poetry Fred
Thanks Michael, there have been times where it was just wishful thinking! Not really serious.
A conclusion too many never realize Fred. For they take that leap and thinking that is their only solution. Sad how they can't see a different outcome. Great write though.
Thanks AP, that step is never the solution. It just creates more hardship and pain for the ones around you.
Agreed Fred. All we can do is hope they turn to someone for help when they feel themselves heading down that road. If they turn to us, we can turn them around, but they have to want to turn around too.
near death experiences wake the mind, body and soul. when I fell overboard the fishing vessel I worked on in the English channel I thought surely I was going to drown. the fast acting crew pulled me aboard before I knew it, but it felt like forever, not 4 seconds. great piece here Fred.
Thanks Kevin! Wow! You were 'man over board'? I can imagine that it must have felt awful. Am happy you did not drown. Just think of all the great poems we would all be missing!
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