Grief, Some Questions
by M. Brett Gaffney
Why is there a bowl
of shredded sunflower seeds
on the kitchen counter?
How many frogs went
belly-up in the half-drained
pool last night?
Is my blanket tired
of being my blanket?
Do cassette tapes
hold the true secret
of immortality?
Why does it take
five years for a mother
to die and longer
for daughters to grieve?
You’re playing a game of poker with Fate. You think you have a shot of winning this thing, and it’s time to place your bet. What are you willing to risk?
The average human heart.
Your mind.
The International Space Station.