uncertainty

(re-post for  coming Mother’s Day)

I looked up while clasping my mother’s hand tightly
she looked down at me and smiled
it was a sad smile
but it looked pretty just the same with her red lipstick
a single tear was on her cheek
this scared me
we both knew that the world was coming to an end
she bent down in her high heels and heavy winter coat
and hugged me
and said something to try to comfort me
it is precisely at such a moment that you realize
just how alone you are in the universe
you can feel your soul crack from the loneliness
and the only thing that even gives you hope of surviving
is sharing that uncertainty with someone you love