4/8/20

I watched you cover a John Prine song

and that’s what finally broke me.

The tears were a surprise.

Maybe it was the Kava tea or

that time of the month.

-

Maybe you were at a loss for words,

so used his and I

was at a loss for emotion,

so used yours,

but I think

it was the look in your eyes.

-

It wasn’t fear. For once

it wasn’t fear. Instead it was

sorrow, defeat,

helplessness.

Which is worse.

-

You were broken and now

so was I.

-

I didn’t even like John Prine. Didn’t know him,

except maybe half the chorus of "In Spite Of Ourselves,"

but watching one of my heroes

mourn the loss of one of hers

-

was like watching my father lose his father

and I cried for your heartbreak

because it mimicked my own.

-

I’m an adult for this tragedy.

What I wouldn’t give to be the little girl

19 years ago

waiting on the reading rug

for mom to come get me, but

this time I feel it.

This time mom can’t come get me.

She’s not allowed and I’m alone.

-

The whole world will be in mourning soon

The media will stop reporting the death toll

as a number in a set of data to lower the curve

and we'll have a minute to remember

that each number was a person.

We’ll realize all we’ve actually lost.

-

One day, too soon, I'll move on.

We all will.

I'll get back on an airplane

and hug whoever's left.

One day, too soon, I'll smile again.

Probably tomorrow,

-

but tonight,

separate,

together,

we’ll just cry

for John Prine.