Fish and chips

We order fish and chips for tea.

Three grilled fish, one crumbed,
And chips for four.

"Your wife had her baby yet?"

I look at the red counter.
"No," I reply,
"Actually we lost the baby, she died,"
I say gently.

The woman is shocked and doesn't know what to say.

"She wasn't very well;
We had her for a day and a half".

There isn't very much anyone can say.

Poor little darling.

* * *

(Epilogue)
How I wish I could say something more for you.
But they are all just words,
About as significant as the movement of wind in the leaves;
And you are gone.

And we are left behind,
Walking out of the shop
With warm fish in hand,
And a desire for meaning in our hearts.