Freedom In Baby Steps

- Eliana Birman (New Jersey, USA)

i took a step this morning. 

i learned to walk at 15 months old

took step after step

without holding my breath 

but i noticed

when i took a step this morning. 

because at some point, between 

15 months and 17 years, 

i forgot how to walk. 

i took a step toward my bed

collapsed

crawled

curled up at its foot

cried 

and didn’t take a step again. 

but i took a step this morning. 

and there was no fanfare

nobody cheered for me as they had 

one-hundred and eighty-nine months ago

when i took a step the first time. 

but i cheered. 

because i took a step this morning.