“Pressure”

Part I

Walking through a darkened wood

You came upon a cliff and stood

And wondered if there could be

A way down to the pretty sea

No easy path came to your eye

The rocks seemed far too rough to climb

A stranger came to you and said

"I'll take you on my back instead

It's easy to get down that way

Come along! We'll have fun and play"

You gazed awhile and, glancing back

In the woods! Beasts poised to attack!

The stranger spoke yet again...

"My back is ready - let's begin!"

Yet now it seems you will never be

Off the cliff or near the sea

The ride is not at this point fun

And now you wish you had not begun

But with no path you were taught to find

And fears from the woods you left behind

It's easy to see what you would do

You let the Pressure make the choice for you

Part II (A Different Perspective)

I walked a path along the sea

And soon I saw a cliff above me

The sea was rough - waves crashing down

If I stayed I thought I'd drown

A stranger came to me and said

"Let's climb on up the cliff instead

We'll have fun - it's pretty there

This beach is more than you should bear"

I saw the waves and saw the cliff

And saw a beach I would not miss

The stranger spoke in softer tones

"Come with me - don't stay alone"

The ground was eroding 'neath my feet

And the water was looking far too deep

Now I stand as if to cry

For my companion needs more help than I

I wish I had made a different plan

And that I had been brave and swam

From what has happened it's plain to see

I let the pressure make the choice for me