Miscalculation -- by Zephirine

.
One time on the Algarve coast
we drove through dull suburbs
for a long while
then suddenly the road came out
into open space
with a few pine trees
and there was the sea
beside us
gleaming
delightful in the sun
there
just beyond the roadside grass

We stopped
the three men got out
and charged full speed across the turf
aiming merrily for a flying leap
four or maybe only three feet
down onto the beach
and then to meet the waves

Two seconds later
flung themselves
back
off balance
flailing arms
and
only just
to a staggering stop
at the edge
the very edge

Quickly we joined them
looking down
down
down
down
a bare iron-red cliff-face to a beach
far far below
distant stones and rocks
the gleaming delightful
waiting sea

The road had gone uphill
without us noticing
taking us a hundred feet
above sea level
maybe more

Someone said : “Fuck.”

We got back into the car and drove on

No one ever mentioned it again
.