Learning To Toddle

When we first discover love

It’s a little awkward.

Everyone watches from the outside laughing

As if we’re a toddler learning to toddle

And then we stumble and fall and start to cry

And everyone chuckles because at least we tried

And we were cute when we fell and cute when we cry

But it’s rather annoying to be watched from the outside

From people who pretend it’s easy

And forgot what it feels like to skin their knee

And watch it bleed

From people who forgot how much effort it takes

To pick up your foot and take a first step

They’ve been walking for years now

Muscles well developed

So it’s a little demeaning when they laugh and pat

Our heads, as if we’re the best morning show

They’ve ever had.

Author's Note

I would love to hear any feedback on this poem--positive, negative, constructive! I’m new to writing and am still not sure how to recognize which elements are good and which elements don’t make sense.