There are many things
I’ve worried about
that didn’t come to pass,
like flunking out of college,
or nuclear winter.
There are a few things
I never gave any thought to
that landed like a kick in the gut,
left me gasping for air,
like that frantic 5 a.m. call—
“Joe’s been in an accident…
head trauma…unsurvivable
organ donor
need permission…
to withdraw life support.”
I never imagined
no more camping trips,
no more shared meals
or late-night conversations
about music
or the afterlife.
It never crossed my mind
that I could feel
so lost, so hopeless—
I never had a thought
about what a father becomes
after losing his only child.
© 2025 Bruno Talerico
Stafford challenge 336/365.
Image by AI.
Desert Dweller 