Center of the World

I found the center today
Only to find that it was empty and hollow —
The deep ravine,
The trench between the continents.

Who would’ve thought?
After the fruitless years searching
I ran into it and now find myself
Barely clinging to the edge.

A slipping grasp on the cold cliff edge —
Below me is the dark and above me the field of tall grass
I’d spent so much time wandering.
I know that meadow well.
It’s teeming with insects and animals and people
Hiding or wandering just like I was;
Searching for the center.

If I call for help will they come running?

Do I want them to?

Looking down and seeing nothing but darkness and knowing
Somewhere deep down it’s nothing.

I don’t want to hear that whisper from another mouth,
To confirm my fear that if I slip
Beyond salvation there’s nothing else waiting.

So I bite back the cry and cling on to the edge of the meadow
Sunlight and singing; somehow maybe
I can find the strength to pull myself back up,
Abandon the center forever.