Extract from a novel, by Nishchaya

The most beautiful poem I have ever read (in some Danielle Steel novel) goes like this....

When young
Did you ever run on sidewalks,
Playing the game
Of avoiding cracks?
Or, much later,
Straddle hairlines mentally
And strut vicarious tightropes,
Dreading, yet perversely courting,
Disaster from a fall?

'Disaster' did I say?
An aberrant word!
For there are other falls and penalties
Not only catastrophic,
But cushioned by largesse
Of joy and glory.
Falling in love is one.

Yet wisdom cautions:
A fall is a fall
With aftermaths of hurt and pain
Only delayed, not circumvented.

Tish, tosh!
Away with wisdom!
Hooray for crazy pavings, tightropes, hairlines!
Right now, who's wise, or wants to be?

Not I.

Are you?

Nishchaya (06-08)