DEATH OF A SCHOOLMATE
A little one, eyes brightly beaming
listening eagerly for you to speak
asking you to wait for his friend.
What can you say without crushing him?
Are there words to explain?
Do we as adults even know?
How is the death of a child explained?
We talk of sad things that happen,
loss of pets, of grandparents.
We talk of heaven and God.
Memories surface and we share.
We laugh a little and cry a lot.
He understands what death is.
Talks of missing Grandma
and he says "It's a sad day."
You breath a little easier.
Think maybe we'll get through.
Wishing you possessed
such a simplistic understanding
Wanting not to question God.
He asks to play with his friend tomorrow
You scoop him up in your arms
Wondering how to help him understand.
Gently saying, "No, dear." Tears flow.
You grieve inside for the death
of your little one's innocence.
January 18, loss of Brian and Charles along with sister and mother.
Published in Bell's Letters
Winter 97 No. 83
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