fingerprints

we talked about how 
we never write anymore
as mili curled up 
in your lap,
stretching her pink tongue 
every so often 
to lick the fingerprints 
off the table.
grandpa lyle 
is in his last days 
and you haven't had time 
to cry 
until today, 
it has hit your heart 
especially hard. 
the talk of death, 
of its finality 
has never really frightened you- 
but when staring in the 
face of 
losing a friend, 
a sweet old man 
that you have loved your whole life 
makes your heart sad. 
and that is ok. 

it will be ok, little lamb.