One Step From Perdition

That day on the ledge
he started to shake
Each memory a tremor
of every mistake

The choices made suspect
as nightmares returned
The price of redemption
his destiny spurned

Alone and forgotten
his eyes straight ahead
Afraid to look down
where his hopelessness led

Each breath getting shorter
his heart beating loud
One step from perdition
one step to enshroud

But then in an instant
a voice could be heard
Not friendly or caustic
but rooted and learned

“Well jump if you have to
defeat as your crown
Your sins to fall with you
—forgiveness unfound”

(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)