Secondary Losses

Secondary losses exacerbate the pain
When our children die,leave us adrift,
struggling to stay sane.

Secondary losses -the world ,as a safe place
where they would thrive,we'd watch them grow,
now fearful,desolate.

Secondary losses-a friend (or friends) shut off,
can't look at death this closely-
the fear is tempest tossed.

Secondary losses-the ability to cope
with anything and everything
in a world deprived of hope.

Secondary losses-the good things that we held
have lost their importance
when misery shrouds our cells.

Secondary losses-our laughter,free from care.
The times we see its reason,
delightful,now so rare.

Secondary losses-the ability to deny
that terrible things do happen-
invulnerability,a lie.

Secondary losses-the self -confidence we knew.
Our world view so shattered,
can any part be true?

Secondary losses-the lovely lives we had.
That sunshine that could fill our days,
when rarely we were sad.

Secondary losses
may,transformed,in time come back.
But our children aren't returning.
Nothing,no one,can change that.

By Genesse Bourdeau Gentry
Stars in the Deepest Night