then bleeds,
stumbles and bleeds.
She bleeds and bleeds.
What do we do
when we fall?
A child farts
then laughs,
belches and laughs.
that she may sing,
play it 'til
the fingers bleed.
Strike up the band.
She sings and sings.
"Get back up, Papa!"
A thousand cuts
follow her
into adulthood.
follow her
into adulthood.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A child farts
then laughs,
belches and laughs.
She laughs and laughs.
Where do you
feel it?
"In my belly, Papa!"
Laughter is an anecdote
to life's callous
encroachments.
encroachments.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A child mourns
then cries,
questions and cries.
She cries and cries.
Why the ambulance,
Papa?
"For the neighbor, Buddy."
Death and mourning
usher the cycle
of renewal.
of renewal.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
So play the song
that she may sing,
play it 'til
the fingers bleed.
Strike up the band.
She sings and sings.
"Play it again, Papa!"
A child's song
celebrates
the living thing.
celebrates
the living thing.
