The Thrill of the Slide

A Poem

By Douglas E. Gogerty

Down and down I slide.

Faster and faster as I glide.

At the end there is a bump,

I have to know when to jump.

Closer and closer I get.

Nearer and nearer, but not yet.

I still have a little room.

I can press on. Down I zoom.

Quicker and quicker I go.

Bigger and bigger the bump grows.

I can no longer wait.

I have to jump. OUCH! too late!!!

Sharper and sharper the pain.

Louder and louder screams do rain.

The pain, it will subside.

Ah, the thrill of the slide.

March 1994 (Published "Minnesota Daily")