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Cliff imagery is often seen as very dark and dangerous. But just because you're standing on an edge, doesn't mean you intend to jump. Sometimes, it just means you feel all alone. Same goes for islands and oceans. Big empty spaces, occupied only by you. The poem above was influenced (a lot, actually) by this one:

NOT WAVING, BUT DROWNING
by Stevie Smith

Nobody heard him, the dead man,
but still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought
and not waving but drowning.

Poor chap, he always loved larking
and now he's dead
It must have been too cold for him
His heart gave way, they said.

Oh, no no no, it was too cold always,
(still the dead one lay moaning)
I was much too far out all my life
and not waving but drowning.

And, then, sometimes those same images invoke a feeling of strength. It takes a strong person to stand alone and still stand tall. To carry the weight of the world on their shoulders alone. Sometimes, just sometimes, clinging to the edge and holding on makes you the strongest person you'll ever know.



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