Crossing the street

When I was young

Both hands held

One

Interlocked with my mothers

“Look both ways”

Two

interlocked with what I don’t remember

“Keep your eyes forward”

If I tried hard enough

I could lift my knees

To my chest

And rock back and forth

Between the two of them

Now

One stays held

I can’t swing

But

I’ve aimlessly tried to

“Keep your eyes forward”

Isn’t a whisper anymore

It’s a scream

I’m wondering when I’ll be able to

Tune it out

Close my eyes

And my ears