is still erring,
with good intention,

a mother’s tightrope
over a gaping chasm,

balance only momentary
help often illusory.

How to know how much advice—
and when—is right and necessary?

When to step back
when to hang on

how much to risk
how big the possible mistake

how hard to watch
how old the child

how to avoid the pitfall
“if only I had”…?

Margaret Dubay Mikus
© 2010

From Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine