I think of them often
hadn’t seen him much since high school
never met his wife
but we all heard the news
the punch of grief
wanting to bury the words
far away
I hold my daughter tight
born at the same time
and she feels suddenly
like something
that could blow away
but later I forget
and I wonder
how dare I let someone so small
make me feel so safe
I think of them often
and I realize I don’t know
how to love a stranger
and I don’t know how to ask
do you count the days
you had him
or the hours.