Hearts on Sleeves

Let your children grieve

Let them wail

Let them mourn

Whether the broken leg

Of a favorite toy

Or bedtime

Or the fawn at the side of the road

Let them cry

Open mouthed

Loudly

At the library closed

At the change of plans

At the tongue-stuck-out of their brother

Teach them

To turn toward

Lean in

Let them feel

And do not distract them

From the fading light

The closing book

The felled tree

Let them learn to carry 

Great and small sorrows

They will need it

To walk in this world