Natural Slides

The falls present a natural slide
And I can't resist
I gauge the angle
And the speed
I let myself go
Like a rocket towards
Large
Unforeseen rocks
A hand reaches down
To grab my neck
And pull me out
Once again
My life is saved
By my dad
But where will he be
The next time
Life presents me with a natural slide?

Lost In the Catskills

Nine years old and eager as hell
Running ahead to get back first
My cousin not far behind
A right at the big rock
Leads us back down the mountain
Hours pass by
No camp site in sight
Sun setting behind the mountain
Cold setting into our bones
Fear setting into our minds
Hours more pass by
Familiar shouts
Run down the unfamiliar path
We run to greet their
Warm embrace
The relief felt by our fathers
Not having to explain
To their wives
How they lost their sons

A Second Chance

The wind blew over my face
Sounds of flapping wings fled from the trees
My dog licked my face as if to say
"Thank God"
The branch lay next to me
Rope still attached
A sturdy limb broke away that day
And I am eternally grateful