The Stubborn Astronaught

When the earth opened up 

to swallow him whole

he refused to fall,

a stubborn astronaught 

floating over the abyss

yawning below his feet.

He spun once, then twice,

head over heels

in determined defiance

unsure of how long

he could keep it up,

not caring, yet not wanting

to give into despair

hanging in the air

for a moment that might 

just last a lifetime.

***