I Don't Know What This Poem Is About

After school on a Thursday as I open 

the fridge to get her a snack

she tells me that Mrs. Belle's husband died - cancer

again.  As tears spill I think about 

how she's shown up

in that classroom every day since September

teaching sixth graders about character development

and plot, how she cracked

the kids up with her funny stories

and quirky ways.  Never once

mentioning that the one

she loved best would soon

be gone. And this reminds me of my high school 

friend, the one with the four kids who is only 44, the one who should be

playing with her toddler instead of losing 

her hair.  That evening, before I tuck her in, I weep 
all over again when she shows me

the card she made with the quote

about how, when the sun goes down

the stars come out. I'm not sure 

if I'm weeping about what she lost

or what they may lose or 

how beautiful it is that they keep showing up bare 

and laughing even though the lights 

have been turned out. Or about how damn wise

my daughter is at eleven. Or maybe it's the reminder

that none of it stays. That night I fall asleep

thinking about how we need dark

to see the stars, wondering 

how much longer 

and closer my embraces might be 

if I stop assuming there will be

a tomorrow

*Photo found HERE