Daring Jump Poem by Gert Strydom

In the early morning while the sun
does climb with its first rays over the horizon
the night is still dark and streched out

and I breathe through a mask,
do notice that the flashing light
has changed from red to green
before through the opening
I do fall to below, to the earth.

In that moment I am part of the sky
with the wind buzzing almost deafening,
the earth at terminal velocity
becoming bigger and more distinct.

The moment does almost endless stretch
while adrenaline
does give lightning quick movement
and very near to the ground

the parachute does suddenly flap open
and it feels as if I am jerked
back into the sky
while my eyes are combing through the territory

for signs of enemy soldiers,
my reactions are ready
for the landing
that does follow within mere seconds

where the enemy base is so very close
eight hundred meters away
and my life, my whole existence does hang
on a very thin thread

and I am in the hand of the Lord God,
where I am certain of His omnipotence,
of the beauty of nature
and the value of life.