The Question In My Head

What would I tell my younger self?

That is the question in my head.

She would be ten

So little things on her mind,

Not knowing that pain and disaster

Isn't so far behind.

How would you tell yourself

All the pain that is to come?

That someone close to her will soon

Die at the hands of another man?

How could you tell yourself

That marriage isn't forever?

That her parents in a few more years won't be together?

That illness will afflict others

In your life

Leaving you feeling helpless

As you watch the ones you love wither?

That you, yourself will get ill

From all these goings on

And that you will struggle to cope?

That you will almost end it all

As you slowly run out of hope?

How can you promise yourself a lie

And tell yourself that things will heal with time?

I guess the only thing I could tell myself

If I ever had the chance,

Would be to never give up hoping

And with a heavy heart,

Slowly walk away as I spare her a fleeting glance.