Let your eyes look forward;

fix your gaze straight ahead.

Carefully consider the path for your feet,

and all your ways will be established.

Proverbs 4: 25-26

Slippery steps on a treacherous hill, 

             stinging kisses of flurries squinting my eyes,

In the peaceful gift of the wintery night,

            considering the path is simple self preservation.

A gasping laugh and an unexpected slide, 

           a thrill of the brush of reality 

                            hovering in the depths 

                                    of the dark, abandoned trail.  

A joy in traveling the dusky night,

           following the steps of one who's gone before.

They're walking away from me.

         Happy,
              Strong,
                   and Confident.

Off on the lives they're meant to live.

            They touch homebase on the twilight days of Christmas break,
                                playful,
                                      excited,
                                            and slightly bored.

Enjoying the last pretense of childhood freedom
     while chafing to return to the responsibilities of the lives they've chosen.

I savor the brush of their laughter,
                           a quick evening hug,
                                      and semi-reluctant
                                                agreement to a tromp through the woods.

 Leaf crunchy trail
            reveling in their antics
                   I'm misty proud of all they've become,

And not quite sure if I'm touched or horrified
                                    when they stop to look back
                                                             and check on me.
                          .