Probation

I’ll keep it short tonight. Today was tough for my son Jaran; he learned about Jolene’s death on the morning of the 18th. But yesterday was the watershed day for me; I have passed that first difficult anniversary, and today was much easier.

My writer friend, poet Connie Peters, encouraged me to write poetry throughout this experience, because poetry expresses our emotions. The following attempts to capture the feeling of relief that came today.

Probation

Sentenced to life without Jolene
Jailed by grief
30 days sentence served
Sun shines
Sad glances
Commendation
World unchanged
I, transformed
On probation