Training Wheels

By: Daniel Teets

The time has come to cast aside my training wheels. 

For so long I kept steady with them,

But now I must move on.

Only with your help, though, is that possible.

Now you are the one that keeps me steady. 

For so long I kept steady with them,

But now I must move on.

Only with your help, though, is that possible.

Now you are the one that keeps me steady.

Your hand rests gently on my back,

It’s like air, gently caressing me.

Even still it’s enough.

It keeps me balanced,

It keeps me calm,

It keeps me safe. 

I ride forward with you next to me,

But soon you will let me go.

You have to,

It’s the way of the world.

You realize this.

I realize this.

You are ready to let go now,

But I beg you,

Don’t let go. 

It’s not crashing that scares me,

I couldn’t care less.

I want to ride on my own,

I want to be free.

But I can’t shake the feeling that if you let go,

You’ll disappear.

Gone forever,

Not a trace left. 

It’s a stupid thought,

You’re right there!

Of course, you’re not going to suddenly vanish.

But it still feels that way.

If I turn back around,

You’ll be there right?

I don’t care if you look frustrated cause I fall.

I don’t care if you laugh at me.

I don’t care if you just stare silently as I pick myself up.

Just be there. 

It’s ironic, really.

I’m sure to you I’m the one about to ride off forever.

But I’m not going away forever.

I’ll come back eventually.

Yes, it’s temporary,

But I’ll still be back.

And when I leave after that I’ll come back again.

You have to believe that.

I promise I’ll come back. 

I can feel your hand slowly pulling away.

It feels like I’m falling,

Or maybe like I’m walking on ice that’s about to crack,

Or maybe like I’ve been shot.

I don’t know what this feeling is,

But I hate it.

Please be patient with me.

If you are, one day we can ride side by side.

Then we won’t have anything to fear anymore. 

Your hand is almost gone.

You don’t feel the same way,

Do you?

I’d feel bad if I made you feel the way I feel right now.

I know that you don’t though.

If you did there’s no way, you’d be letting go this easy,

Right? 

It’s gone.

I feel light like a planet.

I’m pushing forward 'cause, I have to.

If I don’t, I fall.

I know I said I didn’t care, but that was a lie.

I care if I fall because that will make things more complicated.

I put on a brave face as you let go,

But to be honest I’m terrified.

If I turn around

You’re there, right?

You’re not gone, right?

I’m turning around now.

So please,

Don’t be gone.