“Have you lost anyone?” my student asks. “Has anyone you loved died – like your parents or your grandparents? Family close to you?”
I respond honestly, “No.”
“Huh,” she huffs, then turns first her eyes then her head then her body away from me.
We were done talking.
And now I understand why.
Having lost more than I can count on two hands.
Having lost track of the losing, lost track of exactly who was third or fourth, fifth or sixth.
If I could see her now, repeat that conversation, I know she would turn herself to me and lean in and nod, “Uh-huh.”

[Prompt 8: emoji poetry – adapted from the prompt]