Later, we cleared her rooms
Shook out heavy curtains
Looked through family heirlooms
Cleared the settled dust
We found forgotten sheets with stains
Something, blood or rust
Your heart burst
Because you thought the worst

Later, when you cried
It was as if you could not stop
A river of tears for all who died
Your sadness, your loss, just awful
When mother called I had to eavesdrop
Both thoughtless and fearful
I had to know what came next
The hidden meaning in that text

Later, when we wandered through
Her house and disturbed the tiny moths
I was certain then I knew
Yet if I had listened to your words
I might perhaps have understood your loss
Instead the words went unheard
And when again the sun set
It was without you, I regret