ALONE

They were all
Calling to me.
The best kind of
Peer pressure.
I caved in.
The water was cold and thick.
I climbed up the slippery rock.
My friend promised to jump with me.
I looked over the edge;
The water beckoned me
And I wasn’t afraid anymore.
All my friends were there:
Some people more friends than others.
Some people had to have people go with them.
But I went alone.
Everyone told me not to look over the edge but
Somehow
Looking made me want to jump even more.
I walked backwards
Everyone watching.
Then I flung myself off the cliff.
The feeling of falling
Is amazing.
The water glittered
And for three thrilling seconds
I was master of my fate.
I didn’t need him to jump with me;
I didn’t need someone to convince me to jump.
Once I made up my mind, I did it
And nothing could stop me.
Halfway down I changed my mind
Wanted to come back up.
My stomach dropped
But I kept falling.
The water gulped me down.
Bubbles fluttered all around me.
I rose to the surface,
Coughing,
But thrilled.
I’d done it all by myself.
I’d jumped off the cliff.
Alone.