“Mommy,”

She is six years old and so sweet and smart and,
“Do people just keep going?”

I stare. Fidget. Smile.

“Well,” I say
Slower than anyone has ever said,
“Welllll…” 
In their entire lives,
Buying time because why
Is she asking me
About death?
I’ve never been dead before
And I’m new at this motherhood thing if you want to know and as a matter of fact

I really feel like there should have been more pamphlets
At the hospital
“Mom,”

I close my eyes and smooth her hair

Maybe she will think I have gone to sleep.

“Do people just keep going? Do babies just keep getting born?”

Inhale. Exhale.
My mistake.
This
Is a question about life.

I smooth her hair with my eyes open.

This question is easy.

“Yes my honey.” I sigh a smile, 

“We do. People just go on.”