There Is Only Down For Me

There is only down for me
Compelled, impelled, propelled to fall
Gaining mass and purpose, stealing moisture from the sky

Through cloud and shroud and shadow
Joined with others of my kind
'Til I can't tell where they end and I begin

And - oh - this is not flying
This one-way trip to down below
No wings, no strings, no detours, and I fall

I'm trying to remember just what She said
As She shed me from her eyes
A purpose - I was made to cool a raging fire

I fear that I'm not able to do all that she asks
I am so small, so very small
A single drop of water

But fear won't stop me from my purpose
Can't stop me from my task
There is only down for me

I grow heavy with the gravity
And down
Rushes to greet me

Only a moment to take in
Bruised pines, braised branches
Flames licking at the dried grass 'round a lake

Ah - if that mighty lake cannot quell this blaze ...
And I fear again - but She said
I have a purpose, and so I remain true

Not that I have a choice
There is only down for me
And I take my measure, and I am not alone

A single blade of green grass
Calls me home
As the tiniest spark leaps and I catch him mid-air

And we are both almost gone
Enough of myself still falling
To bathe that single blade against the next spark and the next

And down is here
I've run my course, hit my mark, served some purpose
And I am no more

And yet, my essence gathers
Inhaled by some nameless goddess
And I am compelled, impelled, propelled again downward

Snowflake
    Hail
        Fog
            Mist
                Raindrop
                    Tear

And there is only down for me
Only down
And Her purpose.

G. Estevez
(c) 6/2007