Musings #17

THE ORDER OF THINGS

First to be born, to bleed, to kiss,

to leave – myself the one

to lead the way, taking

care of mother’s little one.

Young, the few years between us

a chasm. The gap closing,

blurred by time gone by.

Now, widened again, measured

in how far ahead she is

on this steep mountain path.

Still fragile in look, when

did she grow sturdy and her pace

quicken – and when was the moment

I began to slow?

I catch a glimpse of her

up ahead where the path curves,

her voice drifting back

as she talks to the trees.

Lilted, and not entirely of this world –

like smoke or a kite taken flight,

its tail and broken string trailing.

To hold her, I could leaden her step,

stitch stones to her shadow.

Sunshine burns away the early mist.

Every now and then she stops

– just as I once did –

and, smiling, waits for me

to catch up.