little angels
take these falling tears
as your last time
on earth, children
– our tears, darlings
are filled with you. now
you are not
earth children.
our eyes, sweet innocents,
fill up like yours did. before
god came to carry you away
to his home in the clouds’ cradle,
the clouds were welling too.

i wish the world could take this burden of blood
and fear, sweat,
and tears
from you, frightened little ones.
but we cannot.
and that river that we and clouds make
is now your home.