Coasters

I’ve been the type who keeps plenty at hand.
Protecting the furniture
is second nature.

Yet, I am noticing, with each pump
of my heart, a certain tiny
fling of abandon;

someone small inside me who seeks
the thrill of discrete danger,
blasts of wind, speed.

She is getting closer to the crest, the place
before the plunge, and she might
take a small risk,

disregard the safety bar across her knees,
wave her arms in wild joy—
even screeeeeeam!

Leslie Schultz

Photo by Paul Brennan (Shutterstock; used with permission)

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