There Was, Until I Couldn't

There was a time, long before you were born,

Back when I—like you—was only a child

And I spent the days learning the limits

Of my body, pushed boundaries by climbing

Trees, swimming rivers, and holding my breath

Until I couldn’t anymore.

There was a time, before you were born

That I still questioned myself, still

Tried, even though I knew I shouldn’t,

To do the impossible—to fly, fall,

Jump, and sprint far, far and further

Until I couldn’t anymore.

There was a time, not long before you were born

Where I worried about having a child,

Worried that if I did, my limits

Would drive me to the point of climbing

High and jumping, or gulping for breath

Until I couldn’t anymore.

There was a time when you were born,

Love of my love, where you were still

And silent and I knew I shouldn’t

Breathe a word so you could fall

So far asleep—so deeper, further,

Until you couldn’t anymore.

There was a time after you were born,

My daughter, when although you were a child,

I knew you knew of love and its limits;

But your fever never broke—it kept climbing

While you fought for that final breath

Until you couldn’t anymore.

Now is the time, long after you were born,

That I recall, and force myself to sit still

To prevent doing what I know I shouldn’t;

The time when all the heavens fall

And with them, me, so far, yet further

Until I cannot anymore.