10th birthday

A journey did not begin the day

she tied the boots on her shoe laces

to climb mountains

or remove the socks to swim in oceans

It did not begin when she entered

or leave a school

It did not begin when she married

or give birth to a child

It did not begin when she packed her bags

and travel to distant lands

It did not begin when she opened a book

or pick up a pen

The journey began the day she was born.