Forward

When I entered this world from my mother A lead wall slammed behind my back. The wall began to push me forward Through my life, up the stairs of aging. And when I entered my teens, A rope hoisted me around my waist Lifting me into the air, over a pit of fire. Below my dangling feet, I saw my mother. She lies on her back, on a thin sheet of metal Baking in the heat Only an arm’s reach away from me. In a panic, I reach out and grab her hands. I hold them there, trying to pull her up. But she refuses to move Instead she fights me, Bites at me Squirms and hisses. I still hold on, crying, screaming. Begging her to not let go. She stops her struggle Yet holds us in place. Over the fire. And we dangle there together, As the rope begins to snap.