The Edge Poem by Jim Yerman

When she was born her parents together made a silent pledge
Whenever she would need it…they would take her to the edge.

And there on the edge together…high up in the sky
they would teach her everything they knew…
give her all the skills she'd need to fly.

They were there on the edge the moment she learned
to run, to walk…to crawl….
all the time whispering in her ear
"Don't worry…You can do this…and we will catch you if you fall."

They were with her on the edge of her fear
whenever her courage swayed
Smiling all the time whispering in her ear,
"It's okay to be afraid."

"You will fail." They whispered.
"But never let a fail cause your dreams to die….
Yes, it's disappointing when you fail….
but it's a tragedy…not to try.

They never told her of their silent pledge
only repeating often, "We believe in you."
and they were smiling proudly on the edge
when she spread her wings…and flew