Waves

The feelings come and go
in forceful tides: listening
to the wavering voices
of bereaved parents on TV;
speaking with a friend about
their own grief and shock;
seeing the growing tribute of
cards and flowers in the square.
Each time a fresh wave breaks
it washes a piece of my heart
back into the surf, where
it meets a million fragments
of other people’s brokenness
in an ocean of resolute love.