She, alone, stood
and, debating her own best good,
faced down the gaping abyss
of conscious solo loneliness.

She knew another decision would
be, by others, easily understood
if she, reconsidering, stepped back;
let herself be lead down a different track.

She could easily hike hand in hand
through life’s journey with a man
who had never truly got
the greater knowledge and light she sought.

But she turned her vision to a loftier view;
Spread forth her arms, lept out, and flew.