how do I tell
a mother
that the death of her child
was not her fault?

how do I tell
a surviving mother
that the death of her child
during a period of hardship
was not her fault?

how do I tell
a survivor of genocide
that the death of her child
during that period of
hunger and hardship
and heartbreak
was not her fault?

how do I tell
my mom
that my sister’s death
was not her fault?

would she even
hear me?