Palms sticky

knees weak

heat pounding

the light so bright

what lurks in the darkness below

could be anything

she thinks the worst

until the light

pulls her from what might be

to what she must do

walking forward to take the podium

she hammers the emotions of her fear

into ironclad confidence.

Oh God. Oh God oh God oh God. My breath escapes me and I claw after it and frantically pull it in. But the same moment I catch it I drop it. I can see nothing. Darkness. Pitch black. My hyperventilation escalates. I don't what's in front of my face. I start to shuffle a foot forward and then stop. There could be anything on the ground in front of me and I don't know because it is so bloody dark. Even the stars are covered by clouds. I go back into my house and get a torch. I come back outside. And I make my way to the front yard and collect my letters from the postbox.

That day

The first time you ever hold your child

Small and fragile

You have no idea how much it is like holding a baby dove

For one day

When grown

When ready

They will spread their wings

At first they will falter

You might need to give them a nudge

It might even make you cry

They might look back needing guidance

But then they will fly

You will feel sadness

You will feel pride

As they soar above you in their own sky

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