October

A mother’s love liberates.   
-- Maya Angelou

I.   A family of four crossed the road this morning.
One momma and her three loves,
round white spots - a tell-tale sign of youth - on their backs.
They were so full of glee
The eagerness to break the invisible reins of their momma’s hold was palpable.

I stopped and smiled at the whole scene. 

The sun - a tangerine hovering just above the eastern horizon - was beginning its climb.
Its orange glow ran along the telephone wires,
lining the road like streamers along a parade route.

Momma stood at the edge of the road
in front of her babes.
She stomped her hoof twice and they froze,
eyes on her, awaiting her cue.

Even the runner, out for his morning job, stopped to watch them. 
He put his hands on his hips, and his breath broke the chilly air as his chest rose and fell.
He waited and gave the family space.

With confidence, Momma nodded to her three.
They burst ahead of her - 
wobbly rogue rockets whose fire could no longer be contained - 
and galloped into the field to enjoy all the beauty and excitement of this October Saturday morning.
Momma breathed a sigh and followed her crew.

I am so glad to bear witness;
the pulse of life goes on and on.

*************************************************************

II.  A family of four crossed the road this morning.
One momma and her three loves.
round white soccer balls - a tell-tale sign of youth - passed between them.
They were so full of energy:
unbridled enthusiasm pushed against their mother’s outstretched arm
as they came to a sudden stop at the curb.

I stopped and smiled at the whole scene. 

Dew drops - playful children laughing at dawn’s gentle kiss - peppered the field. 
Their sparkle skips across the grass,
shining like the loot of a pirate's treasure under the Jolly Roger.

Momma stood at the edge of the road 
in front of her babes. 
One love balanced on her hip, she lowered her arm to meet their chests, and they froze
eyes on her, awaiting her cue.

Even the driver, out on his morning errands, stopped to watch them. 
He put his hands on the wheel, and his coffee’s steam spiraled in the chilly air as he smiled. 
He waited and gave the family space. 

With confidence, Momma nodded to her three. 
They burst ahead of her - 
wobbly rockets whose fire could no longer be contained - and galloped into the field to enjoy all the beauty and excitement of this October Saturday morning.
Momma breathed a sigh and followed her crew.

I am glad to bear witness:
the pulse of love goes on and on 
and on.

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