Had Your Back....For One Shot Wednesday...come on give it a shot.

When I was young I had your back              

by uneven steps on the sidewalk.

I’m sorry I stopped paying attention.

I had destinations.

I almost tripped over your broken back.

Then the dandelions pushed through

to see if I would look down.

I kicked the buds off their bases.

The cement was mine and I

didn’t notice the shin splints.

The wheels turned.

Skateboards and bicycles.

The bumps shot up my spine.

Then I got off the walk by

borrowing your car.

I left you by the side of the road.

I was center lined and selfish.

Things were said, better off dead.

Your broken back.

Your broken heart.

I’ve seen my kids stutter step

down the walk protecting

a spine of a mother kind.

When will they stop looking down?

Their mom wants them to look up…

to watch were they are going.

But I hope they look back

occasionally and see the curved

back they once protected.

For My Mother