Reading Faces

As I looked upon his face it was very recognizable I had seen the hollow look in my own eyes many times I knew this wasn’t just another poem request He wore the face of death and instantly my heart sank There is nothing worse than learning a loved one has died While you set in Prison As he began to speak I studied his face For I m an expert on reading people The expression in their eyes The tone of their voice The lines that map the depth of pain upon their face Body movement And their hands His eyes darted downwards and his voice cracked He wrung his hands as though he were expecting a great waterfall To start pouring out of them He started to explain that the family lawyer had contacted him His family had all gone out on their boat They were headed to Catalina Island Smallest details are important every word must be analyzed Father, Mother, Wife, Children, (One boy and two girls) Brother, Sister and family dog Brother’s wife and one nephew Witnesses said, “The boat just exploded into flames” Fuel leak He raised his head and our eyes met “Jughead (My Prison name) they’re all gone”, he said His eyes were rimmed with red and very swollen His entire body was trembling as he burst into tears I held him like a mother would her frightened child Searching my mind for something to offer Something he could grasp hold of and find strength in He must be the only family member left (Why else would a lawyer have contacted him?) Like I said, “Every word is important”!!! I thought, “Legacy, this shall be my approach” I started to speak softly but with a touch of conviction “Youngster your life is more important now than ever” “It’s now your responsibility to make sure” – “That your family tree continues to grow” Bewildered he ask, “How did you know I didn’t have any more brothers, uncles or nephews” “Because you just told me”, I replied I could see in his face and in the expression of his eyes That I had amazed him and he was now; another one of my kids I suggested that him and I start a “Grief and Loss Program” So I could teach him what I had taught myself How to properly process death by stages Shock, Denial, Blame, Anger and Acceptance We cross paths with many faces everyday Some we hardly even notice Others stay with us forever Learn to read those faces compassionately And you will have learned How to find the Beauty within your own Written for Sami's contest