Tombstoning

He stands
on the cliff
His toes grip
the lip
His glasses

Safe
in a locker

Where others have
Paused

And
Pressed themselves
Forwards
Will against
will
He jumps

One
Thousand
Two thousand
Three

Chimpanzees
The knees
Remembered in time
Brought up quickly in curl
As told
So the joints do not break

As the water, taut as a drum
Thrusts deep in his skull
He lands in its
cathedral

One
Thousand
Two

Deeper than breath
Kicks
Kicks with arms

Ear chambers dulled
Hears cheers