"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.