is that none of this has been inflicted
upon you so that you’ll learn a lesson
or grow a tougher skin or somehow
become a better human. In fact, if it’d
been up to us, we’d have paved
your path with roses (or whatever
sweet-smelling thing catches
your fancy) and walked with you,
holding your hand when it wanted
holding. All that bad stuff, we didn’t
want to see any of it happen—the
terrible bosses, the loves unrequited
or just plain gone wrong, the P.E.
teacher who failed you because you
couldn’t catch or hit a ball. Or far worse.
We ached for your hurt little heart.
We really did. And all we could do
was send love your way in a form
that we thought you might receive
it—puppy kisses from the family
beagle, someone offering you
a listen, maybe even a hand to hold,
and again with the perky flowers.
We know that you missed a lot
of what we hoped you’d see or
hear or feel—so much birdsong,
the surprise of a kind smile when
you didn’t expect one. Bad stuff
happens in your world. You people
sicken and struggle and die.
We’re sorry about that. But look
at so many of you who offer each
other a kind word or a hug, a bit
of music or a painting that lifts you,
a cup of tea and a listen.
We didn’t create that. You did.
All of you marvelously flawed,
confused, complex humans.
You did that.