First Freefall

His eyes glanced skyward, he saw the plane -

The sun peeked though a cloud.

His jumpsuit on, he feared no pain

From the jump for which he vowed

To take this day, although some say

'Twas foolish to even think

That jumping miles above the earth

And falling toward the ground

Was a game that could be worth

The thrills that would abound.

But he knew that, since his birth,

He'd always dreamed he'd fly.

And on this day, he'd find a way

To walk upon the sky.

"Don't go" he heard his friends all say

"For surely you will die!"

But now his chance had come at last

He climbed into the plane.

He saw the trees go flying past -

His friends called him insane!

And high above the ground he felt

His heart so wildly beat.

His courage then began to melt

Around 12,000 feet!

But his desire to fly became

Just that much more intense.

For with this game he'd find his fame -

The clouds this high grew dense.

He now felt calm, the sky he'd tame -

To him this all made sense.

And then the plane door opened

The wind screamed by his ears.

And looking down, he saw the ground

This sight removed all fears.

For from this height he knew he might

Fall quickly to his demise,

But thrills prevailed and out he bailed

Now through the air he flies.

Then time stood still, his mind did fill

With sights seen through his eyes.

The quickening speed with which he fell

Seemed to catch him by surprise,

As he descended straight to hell

He felt the wind give rise.

And then he sensed an unknown chill

Go up and down his spine,

For he knew that he was flying -

A taste as sweet as wine.

His childhood dream came true at last!

The feeling - beyond divine!

And then he pulled his ripcord

And watched the sun's last ray.

His chute deployed, the crowd - annoyed!

No reserve ride to watch this day!

Now floating gently toward the ground -

His gaze fixed up on high,

He watched the birds go flying past

And landed with a sigh.

And though his feet were on the ground

His heart was in the sky!

W. David Martin, Jr.

October, 1993

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