Walking the Plank

There's no going back now
I've made my decision
I step
Onto the plank
It judders softly with my
Weight
The wood trembles
The water's hiss is louder here
I hesitate, look back,
You lounge against a tree
Your black cloak swaddles
Your feet stretched out
The smoke lifts lazily
From your black cheroot
I see the steel-grey
Glint of an eye
Gleam under the brim of
Your wide black hat
You watch me
Sardonic smile
Amusement plays your
Lips
You gesture idly
Come  back to me
You don't believe I see
I drag my eyes away
Look down
Then
Jump instinctively

Surprised I find
I don't sink after all
The current buoys
My body up it
Bears me gently in its
Arms  -
I look back -
You are
Standing now, shading
Eyes, I see from here your
Frown  -
Thus far I am on course
Held in the slipstream
And now
Your smile has gone.

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