It Happens For A Reason

On a warm and sunny September morning,
A sadistic joke of a day, not dissimilar to 9/11,
20 people where gathered at the cemetery.
Little Michael had been hit by a speeding car.
His 4 year old body now enclosed in a child’s coffin,
Was lowered into a grave not much larger than him.

Reverend Carl’s attempt to console the parent
Was predictably unsuccessful.
To Stephen, the boy’s father, the words,
“Know that God wanted Michael in heaven for a Reason”
Pierced his mind, inflamed his heart.

Everyone would leave soon, too soon.
Stephen sobbed uncontrollably, mumbling self deprecations
And pleas for a different reality.
Pain turning to anger reached for purchase,
“WHAT REASON?” he screamed at Reverend Carl.

Aware of the unseemliness of his outburst,
Stephen immediately turned to the other mourners
To apologize, only to stop
And bellow, “WHY ?WHY?”,

Reverend Carl, a survivor of hundreds of funerals
Knew not to offer another suggestion.
Maybe later Stephen would accept God’s wisdom,
Or perhaps Stephen will demand, like Job,
An answer that will not be forthcoming.