In the beginning

She did not remark that the rope

Upon which she was used to dancing

Each evening, doing flips and somersaults,

Was swaying, very slightly,

Almost imperceptibly

Also possible

She did not want to notice - bynomeans,

Since she feared nothing more than

Falling into unknown chasms.

When

The vibrations became stronger she thought to be

Experienced enough to be able to keep herself on top.

Unnecessary, to perform dances and somersaults, walking was sufficient;

Ropes lurch sometimes just a thing of the moment she said,

Confidently to the friends.

Also possible

She did not want to think about it - noreasonforpanic

Because she was afraid of the

Plunge maybe into oceans into craters into crevasses.

Meanwhile

The rope was rocking so strongly that walking had become impossible,

She could only stagger on the thin unpredictable line.

If I cling onto it with both hands

Nothing can happen I ought to have patience

If I want to come through she shouted.

Also possible

She did not want to faint – alwaysbreatheslowly

At the mere thought of

The imminent tumble into thin air.

​

Then

In the course of one night she plummeted.

The fall has been lasting for weeks now,

Still she has landed nowhere,

Contorting herself in the air turning around her own axis.

Feels sometimes

Weightless weighty fate weightless

Keeps covering her face with her hands

Now and then she does not care where she will

Land in the safety net upon grass upon spiky cliffs.

At the end

She just wants release from the hover-fall state.

(1984)