Treasures Along the Way

I saw a moment reflected back today
It seemed to skip
Along the waters of time-
From me to son to daughter.
School halls ringing,
Lockers slamming-bodies pushing,
Furtive glances, smirks sprayed
Across my heart-
Can’t I stop it? Can’t I
wrap my arms around her
And take her back?
Protect her from the pain and the hurt that will
Splatter the halls and walls?
Can’t I keep her close?
Can’t I be there to comfort when cliques and pettiness
Throw their darts into her precious, tender heart?
It’s too soon, I cry–
She’s too small, too pure,
Too innocent–
I want to scream and wail–
She’s my baby!
Don’t take her -world!
She’s mine!–I protected
her, fed her, clothed her and
Now -what wolves lie at the door?
I will fight them, even
Slay them-but– she
stands tall -even in her
small stature.
She is brave, she has a
Warrior’s heart—true, strong!
I must let her go–
She will fight her own
Battle in those fields
Of papers, hormones and halls
And I will stand on high alert-
Ever ready, ever willing
For the signal-
Mama Bear –comes-
Always ready -always there

Becky Hull
2-12-08