he climbed slowly
leaving fingernails
in the cracked earth
around him
a flurry of stones fell
bouncing off of his back
his arms
one struck his forehead
he was forced
to blink perspiration
and blood from his eyes
but he never stopped
as the light
came ever closer

he wondered
at what
had triggered the urge
to fall so far
what had called
out to him
as he soared
fast through the emptiness
of space

he questioned
the things he had seen
in the midst
of his plummet

but he never once
doubted
the decision
to take that plunge
tired of watching from afar
dreaming
of what lay out there
beyond the comfort
of his star