endless march

i saw my grieving friend today
lost her grown son decades too soon
i hugged her tight for loss and love
she hesitated, "i'm ok" as she gently shook

i couldn't bring bumbling words to account
for this wretched reversal of a universe so cruel
she said she's back at work and shrugged,
"they ask why, but what else can i do...?"

she talked of his wife and her loss
generously giving her grief more sway
saying she lost her best friend, her love
how will she carry on, resume from there?

indifferent grief sat among us as we talked
how can we raise them, lose them, yet live on?
what is the nature of hope in such darkness?
"he said goodbye..." she smiled wide, "i love you mom"

and life moves right on without another thought
while it does us in, shattering all we sought
wide open wounds bleed and there is no pause
life's unabated drumbeat, "march on, march on!"

says she's wading through family pictures, old slides
ever practical readying for ceremonies and guests
then she saw my clouded face and gave me a smile
"i did lose his future, but i still have his past!"

-reena

for my dear, brave friend...
oct 10th 2015