In Mother's Shadow

My mother and I used to go for hikes, and I remember thinking, "She is amazing!" The trail would end, but somehow, she would know which way to go – just by the look of the sun, by the smell of the trees. We'd be walking and all of a sudden she would say, "Watch out for the snakes!" I'd look, and see dirt. I'd keep on walking and she'd say, "Watch out for the snakes!" I'd look, and see dirt. I'd keep on walking and she'd scream, "Watch out for the snakes!" I would look, and see the dirt move.

I wrote a poem remembering the times we used to go on hikes, "In Mother's Shadow" from The Rainbow Hand: Poems about Mothers and Children.

In Mother's Shadow

I walk behind Mother
through the woods
careful
not to touch the poison oak
she points to with her stick.

She sees snakes before
they move.

She finds her way
by the smell of the trees.

She stops to rest
the very moment
my shoes grow
heavy
and gives me water,
gives me shade

in her steady
shadow.

– from The Rainbow Hand: Poems about Mothers and Children

Next time your mother does something that makes you think, "Wow, she is amazing!" Write a poem about it. It's the best gift you can give.