HIGH WIRE WALKING NIAGARA FALLS AT DAWN
Alan Catlin
The stunted dwarf pines, daredevil
nerves thwarted by gale winds,
balance bar slip knot wet,
sudden rains squall, a hushed deep
breathing each step down the taut wire
towards death, toward the lingering
night show kleig lights, spectators
breeding, reacting, taking bets,
yelling advice from all the opposite
ends; rescue chopper blades hovering,
suspended, cuts the heads from all the trees.