First Jump

First Jump with the
Thunderbird Skydiving Club

Butt-glued to Cessna floor
wind beats the ears
ninety miles an hour
safety checks run rampant zig zag
with nothing quite making sense
jumpmaster grins
you panic ballsinyourthroat
fingers grasping wing struts
cold metal vibrating
cheeks rip back
making obscene noises
jumpmaster slaps your leg
and you begin to count

ONE THOUSAND ONE

remembering all the steps
all the ways to mess up
all the ways to die

ONE THOUSAND TWO

the birds below flip circles
like there’s nothing simpler
than spiraling against gravity

ONE THOUSAND THREE

while you claw air
and freefall plummet
fumbling for the steel ring

ONE THOUSAND FOUR

Icarisian fool
hot wax drips
from your arms

ONE THOUSAND PULL

and floating
you feel a familiar warmth
between your legs