The Audacity of Mortality

Hey, Pops
I climbed a tree today
to see if could.
I knew what you would say
and it's not that I should.

But, pops
I learned a lot from today.
That bark leaves blisters and
pine needles prickle;
the smell smothers me

Also, Pops
I discovered today
that I'm afraid of falling.
And just like mothers vase
that I kicked over last year
my bones can break 
like that shattered glass.
My skin will split 
like my ears when mother screamed
and I know this time I won't survive.