A Little Boy (Poem)

A little boy died
So did his dad
Gone...just like that
Ripping apart a family
Leaving behind
A woman who lost
Her husband and son
A boy who lost
His father and brother
Their lives shattered
Like fragments of glass
Tiny pieces to pick
For the rest of their lives
Inflicting wounds so deep
No words can describe

His friends in his class
Asked questions and cried
Still too young to
Understand and process
The harsh realities of life
The parents of those kids
Shocked and saddened
Their own hearts broken
At this tragedy and loss
For the boy and his family
For their own children
Who lost a friend
Who was lively and fun
Whose birthday was
Just around the corner
They can't protect their children
From the grief and pain
Their worst fears staring
At them in their face

The 'why' doesn't exist
There is no explanation
No rhyme, no reason
Only acceptance
That life can change
In the blink of an eye
Reminding us all that
Life is a precious gift
Cherish it, live it
Tell your loved ones
How much joy and meaning
They bring to your life
Be with them
Seize the day
Because tomorrow
Is never guaranteed
Think of the little boy
His tomorrow taken away
Much too soon...