I walk the tightrope,
precariously perched atop
a narrow wire,
as I try to travel without falling.
All the while
I juggle many balls for all the roles I play--
wife
mom daughter
sister teacher
adviser friend
committee another yes
another project
I can't seem to get this
juggling thing down.
The balls fall to the ground.
I pick them up,
wipe them off
and start again.
Even an expert juggler,
can't juggle all these balls,
Maybe before another falls,
I should choose which one to drop,
then I should leave it on the floor
and walk away.
I love the way you wrote this with the balls you juggle going around. I think you're right on with the ending. If only it was easy to walk away.
ReplyDeleteWell-crafted, with an ominous ending that communicates the depth of emotion (will wife, sister, teacher be the ball you drop?). It might be neat to play with the tightrope idea/image in your last two stanzas. What happens when you drop a ball from that great height?
ReplyDeleteThis is a fairly common metaphor, but you enliven it in an effective and original way. Nice slice! :)
I love this one, Maya! I need to first name all the balls I juggle before I decide which one to drop. Let's catch up after your yearbook is done. My spring break is not until next week, but I will be home at night. Call when you can :)
ReplyDeleteI loved how you used a visual technique of juggling balls in your post.
ReplyDelete