Dare to Reach

Today I saw an orange in a fountain

Raining
Walking
Slowly
Round a park
Sorrowful sky
A blue-green fountain
Water bubbling in its basin,
Spilling over into the pool below

I see it

Bobbing
Bright and happy
In the bubbling water
So content to be so out of place
Watching me wonder at it
Beckoning

Just out of reach

Hesitation
Get soaked?
You'll dry
Get laughed at?
No one's here
Get yelled at?
No one's here
Worth it?

Yes

Circle the fountain

Yearning
To reach out
To pluck
From the whirling water

Yearning
To not regret

Yearning
Hesitation
A battle inside
Walk away
Give up

Suddenly
A burning

Do it!
Don't regret!
Get it!
Now or never!
Do it!
What have you got to lose?
Get it!
Why not?
Do it!
Do it!
DO IT!

Suddenly
At the fountain's edge
Knee on the wet, rough surface
Umbrella out
Scoop
Reach out
Grasp

Soft, dimpled, fragrant
Alive

Toss into the air
Vibrant against the sad sky
Catch in my hand
Slip into an oversized pocket

Walk
Slowly
Round the park
Silent
Truimphant
Orange in my pocket

No regret

Can never say
I didn't dare

Dare to reach