Swimming Through Fire Poem by Elizabeth Sheaffer

A cool breeze blew across my face
As I stood at the cliff's edge
Pondering my fate

I could take a risk
For the first time in my life
And plunge over the side

Or I could do what I always did-
Turn around and run-
Run away from the unknown

I cocked my head to the side
Taking advice from the trees around me
From the ground beneath my bare feet

I plunged over the edge
Headfirst, rushing towards disaster
I screamed as I plummeted

And when I hit the water below
I smiled because I knew
I could breathe again