Challenging Poetry

when he was dead

and the NICU thrummed
with laughter.
we held him, laughing
as though our hearts would
fail. laughing at the
absence of memories
we would never make.
laughing with cheeks as wet
as Niagara. laughing
because hope was gone.
laughing together
because we'd wept so long alone.


Author's Note ▶︎

line count: 12
prompt: weeping

Today is the anniversary of my nephew's death at five days. The prompt felt very apt.