"Maintain your balance by moving..."

Maintain your balance by moving -

same on the bike as on stilts.

It’s a stop-animation movie, -

a haunting collection of stills.

First milestones happen but once, -

no others will be as pure.

First steps at eleven months, -

keep moving your legs to endure.

Each subsequent year passes sooner, -

be ready to be on the move.

At two - we excised her tumor.

At four – she lost her first tooth.

At five – she received her first kiss.

They giggled and hid in the tree.

Each moment – too costly to miss,

each second attempts to break free.

No slowing now that it’s started.

Centripetal force of the dial.

Today - she began kindergarten –

Tomorrow – she’ll walk down the isle.

No slowing this wild momentum,

I’m caught in perpetual chase.

Just then, like a little memento -

her tranquil and comforting gaze.