Exhilaration 2 (What I Thought Was Exhilarating Has A New Flavor)

It is cold out, and my nose is dripping
It’s kind of hot, too, but I’m not sweating
My eyes are both watery and dry—can that be possible?

I’ve got the gear now and I look the part
Bright red jumpsuit with orange and yellow side stripes
(Even puffy fin things lining the sides)
Helmet is on, red goggles too
Sad I forgot my cape,
But what can I do?

With an Iraqi (he said he’s Turkish)
Strapped to my back
Pushed out of a plane
No time for a heart attack

Falling fast as the rain
Wind blasting my face
The straps choke my neck
Like a paraplegic brace

I need to remember to breathe
The view is so incredible
No time to think
Until air fills the chute full

Faris calls me “honey”
and asks if I’m all right
He fixes my straps
so they aren’t quite so tight

We spin in a circle
“I like that!” I shout
He hardly hears me
I’m not concerned I’ll fall out

“Honey, I don’t want you to throw up”
He explains
But maybe he’s the one who gets dizzy
My stomach is thrilled and I want to keep spinning

Floating ever so gently
Over a vast mountain valley
We descend from 13,000 feet
Until we find ourselves standing

110 mph is so much better than 40
I always loved it on the way up
Until I tasted it falling

April Murdock
9.15.06