How To Walk

Barefoot, warm dirt, mommy pulling my hand.

The encouragement of sun on our scalps,

and mud kissing our soft soles.

Left. Left. Left. Right.

The encouragement of sun on our scalps.

Always straining necks forward, not down.

Left. Left. Left. Right.

Like uncle who moved to Vietnam.

Always straining necks forward, not down.

We race and stumble on wobbly, bruised knees.

Like uncle who moved to Vietnam.

Wind fingering feathery hair - feathery grass-stained dresses.

We race and stumble on wobbly, bruised knees.

Collecting rocks to trade for daddy's kisses.

Wind fingering feathery hair - feathery grass-stained dresses.

Earth clutching our feet.

Collecting rocks to trade for daddy's kisses.

Learning everything we need to know with

earth clutching our feet.

“Which way?”

Learning everything we need to know with

morning on our cheeks.

“Which way?”

Barefoot, warm dirt, mommy pulling my hand.