Loss

She stepped up to the river
her long dress
blew in the wind
the water splashed up to her feet
She turned and looked at me
she stepped forward
and threw herself into the water.
Not a sound
except the quiet splash all but masked by the sound of the water below
No! I said
Reaching forward
all I felt was air.
I let my hand fall to the ground
I stared off for a moment at the trees and cliffs and the churning water below
I sat down
and let my legs
dangle above the water
I stood up and looked down
my feet just inches from the edge
I stepped closer
And closer
My toes peeked over the edge
I stumbled against my balance before stepping back
I stared, lost in thought
before I turned to head back to the woods with
tears in my eyes.