She rarely spoke of her start in life
Or the years she'd worked to overcome strife
And all anyone saw was the smile in her eyes
Too smug and self-righteous to ever realize
Her tenderness, fragile, like a dream on the wind
Made her easy to crush when she needed a friend
When the love of her life loved someone else
And spun her joy into a version of hell
She sought out her comfort in the hugs of others
But it was clear from their words they felt so far above her:
it could be worse - don't cry
do not weep you have no right
here you sit so sad and sighing
while half the world is dead or dying
they shamed her heart with verse upon verse
of "just remember - it could always be worse"
--------
She moved on and found new smiles
Worked at making life worthwhile
But soon enough the hard times hit
The kids were hungry in clothes unfit
She toiled from dawn till late at night
Though sad and worn she did not cry
Until one day in weariness
She wept to friends of her distress
But once again they could not see
Past their own big heads to their friend in need
it could be worse - don't cry
do not weep you have no right
here you sit so sad and sighing
while half the world is dead or dying
they tore her heart with verse upon verse
of "just remember - it could always be worse"
--------
Then one day on a warm spring morning
She fell to sickness with little warning
The doctor confirmed her silent fears
And told her she'd reached the dusk of her years
Her heart was sad and she ached for friends
For someone who'd hold her and help face the end
But alone she drew her final breath
And her "friends" were surprised when they heard of her death
By way of GoodBye she left a few simple words
And prayed they'd be heeded and not go unheard:
You always told me not to cry
That as for weeping I had no right
When I was sad and fell to sighing
You said just think, you could be dying
You broke my heart with your careless verse
Don't you know I knew it could have been worse?
I only wanted warmth and love
But no matter my need it was never enough
My last dying hope is that somehow you'll see
How hurtful and careless your actions can be
And maybe the next time a "friend" needs some care
You will be kinder, and you will be there
So farewell, remember, the point of this letter:
It could have been worse, but it should have been better.
