dancing on the edge

don’t dance on the edge
cliffs are dangerous places
          he told us
what looks like solid ground
is really eggshell thin
over eternity

but we laughed and
followed him
our water bottles growing lighter
as we scrambled with all our
fingers and toes
to the summit

we saw clinging vines and creepers
with strange exotic names
and layers of rock
stretching back into prehistory
          he knew them all
scientific and mythic explanations
for everything

at the summit
we saw the world
the wind kissed our faces
and we could almost fly
          and he warned
don’t dance on the edge

and we didn’t listen
not really
and we danced on the top of the world
          while he watched
until he heard a crack and he called
and we rushed to join them
watching as the edge of the cliff crumbled

silence took over the top of the world
no laughter
our feet were slow and steady down the mountain
as we each walked beside him
and told him
          love you, Daddy

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