riding behind

then:

i’d stay at arms length in case you needed a gentle nudge.

your ponytails would peek out from under your helmets.

you’d wobble from side to side thanks to your rickety training wheels.

you’d giggle and stop for every pretty leaf which caught your eyes.

your baskets were stuffed to the brim with dolls along for the ride.

i’d hold my breath on some of those turns and steep downhills,

only exhaling when we were back to level ground.

we called ourselves adventurers on those trails.

now:

you still stop to choose leaves though you’re harder to impress.

your legs pedal confidently, strongly propelling you forward

as you laugh about leaving me in your dust.

you have water and a phone with the whole world at your fingertips,

yet out here you’re still mine.

you travel the trails with ease and wonder what’s next.

this view is so different, but if it’s anything like watching you soon become young women,

i’ll stick right here in the back and continue cheering into the wind.