off the top
of the boat.
We're drifting
in the Saco River
so the kids can swim.
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Teenagers Michelle,
Tori, and Ryan
take turns jumping
from as high up
as they can find.
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Kylie, seven, wants
to follow. She tip-toes
near the edge, holds
on, bends her knees,
backs away, listens
to encouragement,
tries again, hesitates,
steps back, again,
even sheds a few tears;
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she wants this so bad.
She's braver than she
knows, though.
One, two, three....
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"I believe I can fly!"
she screams.
And she's airborne.
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Success. We all
clap and cheer.
She climbs back
into the boat declaring,
"I'm going again.
I can't believe I was
such a crybaby."
I believe you can
fly, too, Ky!