Helpful, by John Tylek

Once along this volatile road,
irate, fun, sad, my dear young life
was a clock out of sync. I took
the wrong fork. Unable to think.

You heard in the news
how I was violated. You saw
death and my disappointment.
How I was clamped and squeezed.

Breathing was wild in that valley
of fear and evil. Family, children,
and a wife to protect, everything
that was uncontained, uncontrolled,

and soul-heavy. What is there to learn?
To wipe off, pick up, turn, and start again.
How helpful is a daughter's smile
and holding a son's hand.