“It’s not the end of the world”,

You said, and you said it often

Whenever something bad would happen

From failed grades to plans

That were cancelled.

“Not the end,” you said, “not yet.”

My world turned turtle

The day you died. I was certain

It was the end. But…

The sun was still shining

The skies darkened at night

Life went on when every

Day alive felt like a victory,

And the tears finally dried.

The day my girls were born

I understood what you meant.

It’s not the end of the world

It never is the end.