Rollercoaster

A poem about cresting the curve.

The thrill is while the rollercoaster climbs

Just past the peak is the fear

The fear remains until you learn

If you survive

But you’re pretty sure you will

This rollercoaster lasts a lifetime

We play this game with ourselves

We live as if the survival part

Is in question

When we’re pretty sure we won’t

Rollercoasters deliver the survivors

To the starting gate

Where they are ushered along

To make way for the innocent

The second and some third-timers

This rollercoaster delivers the dead

To the starting gate

Where they are ushered along

To make way for the innocent

The second and some third-timers

Rollercoaster second and third timers

Take all forms

Some are on the sly and appear brave to

While others are shepherds, protectors of

The innocents

On this rollercoaster

I can’t remember if I’m an innocent

And though I’m pretty sure I’m not

I see no protectors, I see no shepherds

I see no sly

And I hope the fear eventually subsides