Life Hurts

Tender-hearted child
Dripping sorrow
From big innocent brown eyes
Cries
“I just want to feel happy”
As worries crowd the smile
from his once-laughing cheeks

“Will she…you know?
She meowed so sadly
She was shivering…
I’m scared for her!”

Me, too, my child…me too
But much more scared for you
And your pure tender gentle heart
Beaten often by new sorrows seen
In the world around you

My child, I would fight to keep your fragile heart
From breaking
If only I could
But I can’t
Because living means sometimes breaking

I wish I could promise your beloved pet
Would never suffer, never die
But I can’t
Because life ends
And pricks and stings and pierces in its path

My dear child, all I can promise
Is that these arms of love and comfort
Will hold you now
All I can promise is:
I understand