Perspective

My love told me a story about a long ago dog.
Its death caused her mom's world to fall apart with grief and depression.
She said, "I know you think that's silly..."

And my heart sank to that dark place.

Because I've known grief.
I've lost babies from my womb and watched as my niece battled cancer
for four long years
and then still die,
only just a baby herself.
I heard her plead, "I want to go," over and over
before death finally came and took her.

I thought that such things had taught me compassion
but maybe grief and sadness
has just hardened my heart

to help me keep on going

without falling

apart.