Up & Away

 

                        

                        He stood using the furniture like scaffold.

                        There’d been a number of attempts before. 

Each one building his strength and confidence. 

This time would be different, though. 

It was his moment. 

He looked up ensuring his audience. 

Then, let go. 

His little feet reconnected with the floorboards. 

Their arrhythmic steps catching him by surprise. 

Plod, splat, plod. 

Cheers erupted in the background. 

His face softened to a smile. 

Wobbling took over as time slowed. 

There was a pointless attempt to rebalance. 

Knees buckled. Thud. 

He’d almost made it across the room. 

Up he got, again. Do-over!

    
                                                            Jenna Crowther: October 2023