First Steps

First Steps

Just one step...
one little step...
come to me....
you can do it....
just...
one...
step...
Wary, careful, frugal-footed,
He shakes his head,
Drops to his knees,
And crawls away.

Just one step...
I coax,
I entice,
I cheer and chant,
But he's not buying this peddler's wares.

Just one step...
We practice,
We try,
We push and prod,
And just when I'm ready to give up,
When he thinks I'm not looking,
Out of the corner of my eye,
I catch...
Just one step...
and then another.