You Don't Understand

• Ruby Cassin, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2018

You don’t understand how it feels.
How it feels to lose someone.
You don’t understand that feeling of disconsolateness,
So stop saying you do.
Stop saying “I get it” or “I understand”
Because as far as I recall, you don’t have those salty tears marbling your face,
Or getting shakes when you hear that song,
Or standing up in front of everyone at the funeral and trying to talk
Without choking on your words,
Or being asked “How are you doing?”
When you know that in reality most people don’t care,
They just feel obligated.
And I feel obligated to say “I’m fine” and be believed,
When I’m still raw from that part of me being torn away by death's cruel hand.
You don’t understand how it feels to come home to nothing.
You simply don’t.