What is Brave

An infant’s fist uncurls
Small finger, ring finger, and so on

And I wait

A toddler stands, steps
Then topples, a bump, and for a silent beat

I wait

A child pushes a pedal
Brakes, handlebars twist, a thumbs up

I exhale and wait

A teen reads the news
Asks—why now— 

I wait for her to explain

Instead
I get
—why ever— 

And I stop waiting