They feel sadness in the same way
they feel the joy of an ice cream van
plink plonking its way through the street
they grew up in and learned how
to put both feet on a pogo stick
and spell the word SHIT in chalk on tarmac
before drawing a temporary tennis court.
They will not know how to continue
tomorrow but will get up, eat Cheerios,
wear their favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
t-shirt, point at the sun and say Sun.
They will feel dried tears on their cheeks
and remember the taste of something
they didn’t enjoy rolling away.

© Carl Burkitt 2022