I carried you beneath my heart
I carried you when you cried
I carried you when you were tired
I nursed you at my breast

I drove you to school
I drove you to viola lessons
I drove you to your first date
I held your hand as you took your first steps

I watched you play in concert halls
I watched you argue in courtrooms
I watched you embrace friends at camp
I caught you when leapt into the water

You walk into your new life without a backward glance
My heart crying out that my parenting is still a work in progress