First Step Poem by Trevor Toews

Come, walk to me, my child!
Don't be afraid of that first step.
Earnestly you eye this toy I hold.
You teeter on your tiny rounded feet,
Your toes curl down and try to grip
The floor below.

Your hand reaches forward,
Then flails uncontrollably
As earth spins faster
Now, disaster!
You fall, hard, on hands and knees.

Head down, you cry,
Big shaking sobs.
So many times you've fallen.
Your little knees are chafed and sore,
Your tiny wrists so tired of crawling.

You crawl to me,
For that is all you know to do.
Reaching up, you find my hand,
The crying stops,
I'm here for you.
I understand.
(I fall too.)

Let's rest a while before we try again…
No?
What is that thing inside of you that wants to win?
I know you'll fall a hundred times before you learn.
Why to that one deep longing
Do you continually return?

Then come, my child,
Just walk!
Take one step. That is all.
I'll stay right here and not back up,
I'll even catch you when you fall.

Then, I see a curtain lift!
A tiny light comes on for you.
A step! One halting, giddy step!
And the world is new.

And now, it's me that cries,
I knew you could! I knew!
My child, you've done more than I today,
But I learned what one
Determined
Step can do.