Sandstone towers twist toward the heavens,
caressing cirrus clouds.
Yet perilous cliffs
wait for mortals to slip,
and with gravity as their accomplice,
plunge them back to earth.  

He shouts,
“Mom, can I climb this one?”
I cringe.
Images of him falling fester and fill my mind.  

But he looks at me –
the confidence of Hercules on his face –
and I nod,
releasing my demi-god to conquer his Olympus.