At the Water’s Edge

I’m at the edge of the pool’s deep end.

All the fine swimmers beckoning, “Jump in, you’ll float! Water’s great!”

But I stand there motionless, books in hand, researching;

Will I drown? Why should I jump? When do I get good? What does it taste like? Why is it blue?

The swimmers make it look easy. The swimmers wrote the material I now research. The material I use to anchor myself to safety. They beckon once more.

I tell them, “When I have enough information I’ll come in!”

They return, “Jump in, and you’ll learn!”

Today, I remain on the concrete edge, with a decision to make.

And soon, my frustration at the edge will outweigh my fear of the water.

-Ken