Angel's Landing

sun on my face
breeze in my hair
rock under my feet
my life in my hands
and around me, in the sky, an anchor
thrown straight up for half a mile
from an ancient mother ship

earth, I mean, in khaki
patched in green and brown
with a silver stitch of peaceful river
safe harbor and quiet water
for a small craft like me
that ventures into the sky
with but a narrow ridge for lifeline

the way lies steep before me
with nothing past the summit
but sun and space and heaven
this height, an angel’s landing
may be the means to some further end
but really is the end itself
to ascend is end enough

all the world I ever wanted
my life in my hands
rock under my feet
breeze in my hair
sun on my face
and around me, in the sky
just sun and space and heaven