For Charity. Poem by Miki Byrne

For Charity.

I almost did it. Fulfilled that desire
To walk bow-legged with harness and
parachute snailing my back.
To get on the ‘plane,
guts screwed tight as springs.
I was prepared if not pleased about the leap.
A fall through transparent blue skies,
a great silken mushroom of puff and billow above me.
froths of cloud sailing by in miles of blue.
Money had been promised, collected,
scraped from sponsors for charity.
A goal was fixed, date set.
Nerves under control, hands steady
as I went to tell my Ma.
Took her dogs out as a favour.
Trudged happily through the wooded copse.
Broke my leg on a fallen bough.