Oversight 

by Josiah

hands search

for unseen finger-holds

adrenalin magnifies

the tiniest cracks

cry from below

"hey bud, where's the harness?"

tension locks arms

stomach tightens

quick peek down

between legs

threatening to buckle

I descend

sweat from hands

dropping onto forehead

foot jerks loose

I tremble

land on solid ground

relief flooding mind

father's face

gaunt white

first published in Write On 2012