The Balance Beam

A poem on learning to fly

I walk the balance beam every day…

Some days I get all the way to the end
I feel lucky
How did I manage it?
What did I do differently this time?
I retrace my tracks that meant today I made it to the end.
I held on

Other days I stumble as I begin
I fall off
and linger on the ground
Is it possible to get back up?
What will it take to keep going?
Eventually, I muster the energy to rise
I begin again

Today I am wondering which is easier ?
Managing to stay on the beam for as long as possible? Or
Stumbling, falling and repeatedly getting back on?
Should I focus on balancing or on living?

If I focus on living and let go
I will no doubt fall
and need re-find my balance
Will I learn to find it quicker next time?
Will I go further in the stretch?
I pause

Perhaps the key to living might be in not trying too hard
Perhaps it is possible to live a freer, more care free life?
Perhaps in doing so, I will at last learn to fly?