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When I was young I had your back
by uneven steps on the sidewalk.
I’m sorry I stopped paying attention.
I had destinations.
I almost tripped over your broken back.
Then the dandelions pushed through
to see if I would look down.
I kicked the buds off their bases.
The cement was mine and I
didn’t notice the shin splints.
The wheels turned.
Skateboards and bicycles.
The bumps shot up my spine.
Then I got off the walk by
borrowing your car.
I left you by the side of the road.
I was center lined and selfish.
Things were said, better off dead.
Your broken back.
Your broken heart.
I’ve seen my kids stutter step
down the walk protecting
a spine of a mother kind.
When will they stop looking down?
Their mom wants them to look up…
to watch were they are going.
But I hope they look back
occasionally and see the curved
back they once protected.
For My Mother
Gerald the Writer 
>Your poem made me hug my mom…Thank you…Here is my one shot:musical whirlwind
>Wonderful way to view motherhood, the skateboards and the sidewalk…it is our job to protect those we love…bkm
>How we hurt the ones we love on our journey to gain adulthood and freedom…and still they love and protect us…Beautiful, Jerry.
>Relatable, great work. Nailed it this time around. 🙂
>Love it! what a great piece- plenty of detailimages and movement.Thanks!
>lovely words for your mom…hope my son writes something like this one day…
>What a great reflection of childhood and youth. there's alot of growing up on the sidewalks of lifeNice One shot