For My Grown Daughters

I am the one
who ran along beside
to be a steadying hand
when you learned to ride a bicycle.
It's a big job
supporting the weight.
In the beginning it doesn't work,
as if trying so hard lost the balance.
Then, all of a sudden
natural laws take over,
I feel the change,
speed increases and
you break away.

I'll remember how this goes
if sometime you call for help.
I'll be here
ready to run along beside
panting encouragement,
believing,
until at the good moment
you can go it alone.