Halting, staccato movements that stir the air.
A scrape, a slide, a swish of hair.
Gritting teeth, concentrated sigh.
A wobble, a wish, so close and nigh.
Step one, toes that softly pad.
Laughing, leverage, all good, not bad.
Coos and love and open arms,
Bright eyes, brilliance, moment of alarm.
Tumble and slide, lilt and fall.
Crashing, cracked crying in the hall.
Rushing over, wails wrapping like hooks.
Tentative, touching, worried looks.
Blinking eyes, tears wiped away.
Sniffling and swallows, first cry of the day.
Back on the floor, step one complete.
Relief, remission, set back on his feet.
