Dear Child

When will the waves cease crashing;
the torrents halt?
When will the darkness lift; 
the weight fade?

I wish I could say, soon, child.
Instead, the answer's never.

When will the air scald my skin again;
the icicles repierce my heart?
Will tsunami reach shore 
once, twice, thrice more?

I wish I could say, never, child.
Instead, the answer’s soon.

When will the joy outpace pain?
When will I learn to breathe in peace,
to breathe out tension,
to breathe,
without gasps?

Never? 
Soon. 
Never
soon enough.

1/27/2026