Here's my entry for Rumplestiltskin's killer poetry contest: @rumplestiltskin/rumplestiltskin-s-killer-poetry-contest-round-17.

RISK

If it wasn’t so risky
you’d speak of uncertainty
Of the mud in your throat
and the hunger in your belly
Of that fire you cage -
the reigned lion named hope

If it wasn’t so risky
you’d speak of the void
Of your stuckness
as you fade -
a spectre in the race
The weight of a
bloated world’s rules
transmuting
dream into mirage
mirage into ludicruousy
ludicruousy into heresy

If it wasn’t so risky
you’d no longer wait
Toes at the edge -
silent witness
as the winged launch
on self-crafted winds
Watching
the brave,
the fools! -
Rise
and fall

If it wasn’t so risky
you’d surrender
Soul slinger
in the dark empty
bridging chasms
in a breath
Primal wild
arms wide
for the unknown

If it wasn’t so risky
you’d believe
In life’s embrace -
the sweet goodness
of connection
Honey hope
dripping faith
one sweet note
after another

If it wasn’t so risky
you’d find the time
Sculpting paths alive
losing the end
then finding it
again, again, again
Infinity unfurling
its supple wings
as you hurtle
closer and farther
farther and closer

If it wasn’t so risky
you’d question
what you believe to be true
you’d speak
up out and through
for the voiceless
not so different than you

If it wasn’t so risky
you’d love
Open palms
reaching beyond
as the desert thirsting
for the rain’s soft kiss
You’d miss
and be missed

If it wasn’t so risky,
you’d try
One taste
Just that first step.