Never Know

Broken laces and worn out soles

Asking questions of every green filled jungle crack in the soggy asphalt about

Dried worms and birds

And how it all works

And "mamma where do the butterflies go when it rains?"

And she didn't know but talked about wings or funny things 

And how God drowns the bugs to feed hungry beaks

And no I still don't understand

Feathers sailed through the evening clouds

Singing loud lullabies to her nest and mamma made me listen

As the sidewalks glistened

And a Windshield ended the song and I probably cried.

"mamma where do the animals go when they die?"

And she didn't know but talked about the sparrows, some lilies, and peace.

And no I still don't understand.

Chubby young hands held an empty bowl and asked again

Mamma buried him under the spring clover

And I built a broken twig fence around the tiny grave.

"mamma will there be goldfish in heaven?"

And she didn't know but talked about shining sidewalks, mansions and happiness

And no I still don't understand 

And I got up and dried my eyes

And mamma said it was all alright

And the clover covered graves multiplied in the red earth

Rain came again and they were forgotten in the puddles

And "mamma where do the butterflies go when it rains?"

But they danced in the sun

So I chased.

And no I still don't understand.