He tosses his head side to side in his car seat
Looks to me then
A wail escapes as he throws his face away
Anger? Frustration? Anguish?
"He's crying for all of us"
I muse
"Thank you for crying for all my sorrows"

His dad rattles off the latest news-
Rapes and murders, gangs, he died, she died-
And points out the car accidents
Driving closer to look
"How'd they crash through there?!
He's gone right through the fence!"

He looks at me now
Big blue eyes
And I'm sober
- No silly faces or scruffy toys to offer him this time -
Instead I simply gaze back.
We stay for a while
Serious gazes met
Mine says -
This world is cruel
People do horrible things
We think we're better than everyone else
We slander difference
There is so much pain
So much suffering
You're going to go through a lot
And I'm sorry for that
And I'm sorry for my own hardships
But you will be strong.
You are beautiful
And kind
And intelligent - I can tell already -
And you are strong.
This place is beautiful too,
See that.
Live for that.
His eyes replied:
I know. I see it.
I understand.
Then he tosses his face away.
Overcome,
Voices mingling around me offering nothing but suffering,
I rest my face in my palm.
Then - a light touch on my elbow
I look up
His eyes bear into mine
His hand outstretched
I offer a finger
He clasps it tight
And falls into slumber deep.