These Feet

carried a babe from so long ago
first delivered from a mother’s womb
held aloft by a doctor with concern
feet up high and slap not meant for pain
to ensure a child enters a lair
of family friends and grow up strong.

These appendages helped in the balance
of sitting rolling around on floors untamed
until a momentous occasion arrived
walking on one’s own
ooh’s and aah’s from adult speculation

child becoming a distinct being
with feet supporting good intentions.

How quickly the child grew and so did feet
without such support a boldness into
life could not be sustained

days months and years trekked along
gathering strength through love
feet in a meandering path
for adventure in a civilized realm.

Teen years caused feet to soar above
beach balls and soccer from childhood to
young adult at a hurried pace
of sodas to young love.

As adults feet carried hope
hard work and security within family
allowed newly-arrived children to
create more demands to run
rush and a willingness to share

an active life almost straining
each other’s feet. Then comes time with
an end arriving as older age
feet no longer able to drive the bus

recognizing deteriorating fate
and a final roar with natural intent.

© Richard L. Provencher