To Hell and Back

She stormed through flames and fiery hell,
A sad and angry soul;
As I cried and raged behind her,
Her life my only goal.
 
Yet as she slipped away from me,
her hand groped out behind;
“Hold me, Mama.  Don’t let go.
This world is so unkind”
 
I reached for her with all my heart,
And through tremendous force of will
she stepped back from the abyss below,
to find her feet beneath her still.
 
She’s standing now, a fragile reed
that strengthens more each day;
No longer alone, much less afraid,
as she learns to find her way.
 
Her road has many twists and turns,
and the path’s not always clear;
But the light is bright upon her,
as she’s learned to fight the fear.
 
And me?  I stand beside again,
a quiet, solid friend.
Willing to steady, but proud to watch
her take the reins again.