Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

Nikki knew this was the end.  She was high up. The cold wind swept across her face. It was as if someone was walking on her grave. She was single, 31 years old and terrified.

Alan was such a liar. ‘I was entertaining a boring client, darling,’ he’d said smoothly. God how she despised his well rehearsed explanation! They’d argued, screamed and yelled across the divide of their differences. He’d forgotten to say that ‘the client’ was three giggling girls.

Nikki just happened to see them. Fate had conspired so that she was late out of ‘Warings’ that night. Mel hadn’t been in again so the monthly accounts needed to be completed. 'You’ll total the figures, won’t you Nikki?’ Nikki had done it as usual, the extra hours of drudgery  brightened  by the thought of the overtime she’d earned. It was as she stood in the shadows of the bus shelter that she’d become aware of them. Now she was going to make her point her way.

Drops of rain ran like tears down her face. The wind buffeted her as she leant over the edge. It was a long way down. Could she do it? She cowered back. Courage didn’t come easy. Dominated by all the males in her life, she’d always conformed. She’d had years of, ‘Nikki will do that,’ ‘Nikki’s so quiet,’ and ‘Nikki’s a good girl’. They were going to eat their words now.

Nikki looked out across the horizon. Would this be the last  time she’d see it? She balanced on the edge of her life, her body trembling. This was the moment. Could she do this? Concentrate, block out everything, everyone. Just do it.  Take one simple step into the void, the abyss.

She jumped. Terror! A whirlwind of time and space. Increased momentum. Air rushing. Disempowered falling. Limbs outstretched like a starfish. Fear! Panic! A pulling. A jerk. Then a soft billowing and opening to the rest of her life suspended from a parachute.