ravine

Betwixt stability and principle A ravine of realism lies Standing on tenuous precipice I most fear the other side It is not greener or more lovely As far as I can see But somehow to forego a leap Seems the greater tragedy Is surrender the cost of safety? Insanity the price of growth? On some days the gap seems small Today nearly wider than hope I should be running far away Someday I'll wish I had Instead I'm running for a jump If I make it, I'll be glad Wrong--I am more terrified! Helpless in a new frontier My consolation is a fool's conviction I decided; and I'm here It's a winding and a dangerous road To nowhere guaranteed But there's a chance that's well-deserved That is preserved in me For while at least I had a choice The others here did not Down slippery path, I hear a noise A prisoner of this rock The chances often don't look good That we could both cross back Will they trust enough to soar? Is it me they will attack? I struggle now to recollect Life on the former side Dreams of breakfasts and of bridges Now my dream is to survive I must prepare to meet my fate As quick as it may be But I'm content at any rate That I've crossed the great ravine The world won't know me as a hero Nor see what I have done Unlikely, yes, but just perhaps I'll be hero just to one