they heard the jets before arriving
the kids came to revel with the rest
but now
with immeasured breaths
they stumble ‘cross the bricks
that broke all ‘round them
now surrounded
by the faces of lost loved ones
encircling their heads in midair
no matter how hard
they close their eyes
no matter how soft
those voices still are
no matter how wide
they extend their arms
no matter how narrow
they squint with eyes
made squalid by knowing
the greatest weight of sorrow
by way of sight
by way of thought
by way of love
joy hope compassion
they heard the jets before arriving
but the kids and the rest still knew
this wasn’t supposed to happen
perhaps enough of the world does too
perhaps most already understand enough
while the rest don’t want to
all our heartaches ablaze in some way
tender to the touch
but too sharp to shut
when the fire wants to stay
wants to burn within us
all the while and all the longer
so we say what we may
knowing it won’t make us stronger
but at least our words and thoughts
can love our lost with honest honor
pinching the kids’ smiling cheeks
as their faces float around us
now surrounded
by worlds and worlds and worlds
holding what we could have been
that sorrow can’t be explained
only understood within
Sirik knows
Minab knows
and many more do too
as you may have guessed
the sorrow burns through the heart
before it makes its way out the eyes
lachrymose and drenched
like a fire that can’t put itself out
no matter how many tears are wept
like a love that must live on
because love is all we have left
they heard the jets before arriving
the kids came to revel with the rest
and then
the jets struck as they went
sticks and stones hitting homes
before they returned to their nest