The story of your parent's divorce
trailed off into an abandoned stillness
and I didn't understand.
how could I?

You were suffering in your room again
reliving those days in silence
in traffic, on the drive home
how could I comfort you?

You choke the sentence
before burying it again
nervously I inspect my shoes
trying to find a way to tell you

that I understand you're human and not a hero
but as eager as I am to write this for you
I can't recall what brought the story to light
to stir this moment between us.