Walking

First steps, jubilance, second steps laughter, third steps a bit further

Further from me. In the first days first steps were celebrations, smiles,

Camera moments worthy to hold onto. Steps got harder though, you moved

Toward a place I can't see, a place within that has broken you, a step into

Darkness, a hole? A place my love can not fix for you, you halt, I retreat

How can I help you walk toward me, toward light, hope, belief in yourself?

How do I let go of pushing, dragging, begging, crying, sobbing, dreaming,

Calling, texting, waiting, suffering, swearing, constant thinking, staring?

First steps can happen again. See, you don't need to be perfect, astray or

Hide from me or yourself; we can try first steps all over again together.

I can't pull you up all alone, your shit's heavy babe, but I can sit by in the

Darkness, in the light beside you, with hope, believing in you when you

Feel another day is too damn long. I won't ever stop walking carefully

Near you, listening for just a hint of that sparkle you had back when steps

Were filled with jubilance, smiles, and laughter. The steps you are climbing

Up now are gonna hurt, try to break you, cause anger, resentment, struggle

Tears, and an anxiety that nags at you like a chipped nail you gotta chew off

Because there is no other solution. It's work. These steps, this walk.

But, you gotta take it. I can't walk your path for you, just near you. Sighs.

Signs, meaning, screaming, praying, moon waning, rising, sun shining, but

You're lying in a bed, one where time is walking passed you; please child

Rise up as I do for you, every morning, every chance you give me to meet

You on your journey. One step, I am pleading you to take toward love.