Family Tree

Comes a moment

when a child’s empathy is tested.

Like heavy snow on the slenderest branch

you hope for deep bend, no cracking.

You should have known

there’s nothing brittle about her.

You watch her choose the right

but painful thing,

swelling with tears to near-burst

but she does not break.

She is pliable; she is green.

And mama, you too must bend.

What do you choose in the face of her tears?

You are the oak.

Describe your pride, your weathering,

your wonder at her strength, then

join her in sorrow.

Dear Corey asked the Real Toads to write about a time when we did not know how to feel about what was happening. It’s #28 of 30 Poems in November to benefit Center for New Americans.