#47

Silver and green streamers whispering to one another as they dance in celebration of motion. Projecting outward from green rubber handles clutched by tiny hands white knuckled for fear and excitement. Connected to a girl, round of face, pink-cheeked, pigtailed, legs churning against pedals as mother jogs behind, pushing, holding steady, breathing, carrying a small jostled sister in a sling on her back. The mother releases, space between outstretched hand and girl growing as she holds her breath and feels the weight, the flow of time like an unfeeling river, pulling, always pulling. The girl turns her head back and smiles triumphantly.