On the Edge of a Cliff

I'm really okay, thanks

there's nothing to witness

I said as I looked back from the edge of a cliff

The old man looking down lent over the ridge struck with a grin

As if a blessing had hit him



I slumped on the jut of the cliff

Just leave me alone, this is none of your business

I will, said the old man, but just one thing

And what he said was so lovely it stunned me



He said: I lay right there once at the edge of the rock

I was ready to jump, I was ever so lost

But this gentleman stopped and said something I never forgot



For billions of years since the outset of time

Every single one of your ancestors has survived

Every single person on your mum and dad's side

Successfully looked after and passed on to you life

What are the chances of that, like?

It comes to me once in a while

And everywhere I tell folk it gets the best smile



And then the old man walked away and out of sight

Til the sound of him hiking turned to the sound of silence

I just froze in a profound surprise and from down on my pride I found a smile to my eyes



And for many days again I've been passing the same cliff

And on many occasions I'd chance on the same thing



Laying in the moss, in the same way I was would

Be another man looking like he needed a change of luck



So I'd say: I lay right there once at the edge of the rock

I was ready to jump, I was ever so lost

But this gentleman stopped and said something I never forgot