Parachute

-Parachute-
by
Keaton Foster



On my back
Strapped
Parachute
Usually
An escape from death
Who packed it
Who placed it
Why am I wearing it
Variables known
Only to a man like me
All that is for sure
Quite certain
Why it is
I am jumping
Why it is
I am willing to leap
To jump into nothingness
Endless diatribe
I do bleed
The answers
There for those who seek
Everyone else
Will remain unaware
Of such a thing
I am incapable of care
The angle is steep
It took me forever
To climb up here
Such a height
Unforgiving
Parachute
It is not meant to save me
But rather embolden me
Force me to leap
Leaving some room
For “what if”
When I know damn well
What will without question be
The end of me
So I scream
And then with ease
I leap
Falling down
Towards the ground
The cord in my hand
I’m such a desperate man
I say a ridiculous prayer
As reality races clear
Like shutting off a switch
Unquestionably
I will be deceased
Intentional suicide
Disguised
As a base jumping accident
Perpetrated by a novice
The insurance is gonna pay
Those who love me
Will be taken care of
My children in time
Will come to say
Our father died
Doing what he loved
And then just as quick
They will move on
Some will say what a shame
Shame means nothing to me
Release is my poison pill
An increasingly greater thrill
Closer still
I have a last chance
Just one
To change my mind
In life
Appearance is everything
I won’t change my mind
And just in case
To avoid the chance I would
The cord, if pulled
Would do absolutely nothing
Except open the empty pack
That does indeed lack a
Parachute…


Parachute
Written by Keaton Foster Copyright © 2013