An Irretrievable Minute

An Irretrievable Minute

one minute
gaiety abounds and
children are playing, laughing
– we smile towards one another
from a distance

I turn from you for one minute –
(trusting in all good things
that you’ll be safe)

I look again
to see where your toddler-feet once stood
but you are gone –
abandoned –
(like the tears that I scream)

left to suffer
and die
alone
(you tried to call out to deaf clowns)

you join the other sad rocks
that have gathered at the river floor
waiting for your arrival