She watched him turn the corner –
Tears trickle down the side of her face
Like the water on the tub
Where she bathed him as a child –
He loved to play.

Her hand covers her mouth
To hide her expression
As she did when his
Wobbly legs
Took their first careful steps,
Gripping the coffee table,
Now scarred with dings and scratches.

She waved her hand,
As she did at his graduation,
When those once wobbly legs
No longer stumbled, but strutted,
Confidently carrying
Him across the stage to his diploma

She helped to load the car,
As she did on countless family vacations –
The trunk weighed down with
The things he must carry,
And memories he should.

He honked the horn and smiled,
Uncertain of where his legs would take him now,
As she watched him turn the corner…