Waters of Living

I have followed you for as long as I have known you, since my neck could not support my head and my hands wrapped around your fingers. I have stepped in your footprints, followed their marks in the sands of learning, marginally bigger than mine, run crisscross down the beach and into the waters of living. I have held your hand, swapped your clothes with my own, played your games as you played mine, laughed because you asked me to. I have hidden in your shadow, let you show your face so I could hide mine, and when you left, stood naked as the day we first met, lost and unable to hide anymore. I have grown up, suddenly, done what I must, leaving my own footprints down the beach while yours wash away into the waters of the living. I have accepted your place. A quieter life without you, a party whenever you return, and a remorse at your next voyage.