A Mother's Touch

"No, don't hold my arm while we walk."

My mother says.

She continues:

"You're not supposed to tense your arm"

"Ok."

Even after

I say that I understand,

As we walk,

I find myself,

Stepping closer to her,

Forgetting,

Reaching for her arm.

A force of habit.

She keeps shaking me off.

I know

That she's just anxious about what the doctor said

But,

Still.

It hurts.

I find myself

Craving her touch,

Her hug,

Her presence.

She's always there for me.

Walking by myself,

Without holding her arm as I usually do,

Feels...

Strange.

Eventually,

Everyone grows up.

Everyone lets go.

Everyone says goodbye.

Even to their mother.

But,

For me,

Hopefully,

That will be in the

Very

Far

Future.