first steps

on two tiny feet 

she leaves her mother’s arms and 

walks 

two steps towards cousin 

waiting with arms stretched toward 

so happy she giggles a belly laugh 

before crumpling into cousin’s lap 

and everyone laughs and claps 

because these first steps travel 

so far around the world 

in fact leaving footsteps 

we can only half imagine 

but we know the hug 

will always be there

in arms that catch and hold