Shopping Trip

Bright colors and words swirling round us; Mother and me, passing like a slow parade. She, veering left, while I floated on by Like a small, fascinated child. Then noticing, she was missing, Returning to the greeting card display Heartfelt, hand-illustrated, Wonderfully crisp and white- Just in time, to catch a tear Half-strangled sob. I was clueless that day I patted her arm and led her Out of that aisle Since it made her unhappy, Somehow, being there From that day forward, I felt myself to be the parent.