Looping Ends

There was so much death
when I was young
and its impact
shadowed our family

Even still,
that weekly call
to the family
is an exchange of obituaries

Considered a good week,
when there is none.

But I've grown frustrated
that it must dominate our conversations

Or that grief and loss
gets more attention than joy

I often think
those unexpected bouts of sadness
have been planted inside,
just to pull me back
should anything go my way