Serious Poem

Introduction: Death is a scary thing for children. They always wonder if death occurs as a result of something they didn't do. This poem is a great way to open up discussion lines about their emotions.

Unanswered Questions

My brother, Janie died
His muscles-and-bones
Did not work anymore.
His happiness and specialness
Went into Heaven and
His body got buried in
The hole that goes into the ground
And then into the sky and
And then to the Everywhere
And Forever that is Heaven.
I know why he died
But I also know don’t know why.
I really don’t.
He is happy.
And sometimes I am , too.
And sometimes I am sad.
Or angry or scared or confused.
And sometimes I think
That maybe
I didn’t hold his hand tight enough.

Extension: I think by showing the kids where this poem is in your class library gives a child a quiet resource that they can refer to if needed.

December 1993

Stepanek, Mattie J. T. 2001. Journey through heartsongs. [Alexandria, Va.]: VSP Books.