New Poem

She was trying so
hard to hold the hands
of two young daughters -
one still in diapers and two
feet tall - tried so
hard to get her to stay
right by her side
to cross the parking
lot - the older one no
trouble, grasping the purse
straps hung off mommy's
bent elbow - but the little
one was bouncing with all
the enthusiasm of a racket
ball - mom finally just
grabbed her ponytail and held
on - even as the daughter
stumbled, fell, skinned her
knees and bounced up -
She tried so hard that the
coffee in the left hand of the
arm that carried the purse spilt
not even once.