Child's Song

A child falls
then bleeds,
stumbles and bleeds.
She bleeds and bleeds.

What do we do

when we fall?

"Get back up, Papa!"

A thousand cuts
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.

 

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

 

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.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

 

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.