Grief, Some Questions

by M. Brett Gaffney

---

Why is there a bowl
of shredded sunflower seeds
on the kitchen counter?

How many frogs went
belly-up in the half-drained
pool last night?

Is my blanket tired
of being my blanket?

Do cassette tapes
hold the true secret
of immortality?

Why does it take
five years for a mother
to die and longer
for daughters to grieve?

 

---

You’re playing a game of poker with Fate. You think you have a shot of winning this thing, and it’s time to place your bet. What are you willing to risk?

The average human heart.
Your mind.
The International Space Station.