Hero's Leap

When I was pre-school
I sent off for a prize:
a Green Lantern ring
that would make me fly.

With green cape and the ring
that special Halloween
I collected more candy
than ever before.

The next day at dawn
I stood on my roof
cape on, ring aimed
at my power battery.

Only I could see that lantern
and took my oath in earnest:
"In brightest day in blackest night ..."
And felt the energy surging in.

My race to the edge was unstopped
my fall to the earth unchecked
hardest lesson even then:
I did not take it serious enough.

Years later I bought a shirt:
Green Lantern's emblem;
I wore it with my children as
we all went trick & treating.

The next morning I remembered
that child who ran off the roof;
I climbed up and climbed back down,
regretful my faith still falls short.