Yesterday We Buried a Child (Margarita's Story)

Yesterday We Buried a Child
Margarita Restrepo's Story
(as told to Jeb Mays)

Yesterday we buried a child.
He was just 14 –
But he seemed much older somehow.

Yesterday we buried my friend's boy.
He was always such a good boy
Watching his younger brother, taking
Care of his baby sister –
He called them "my kids."

Yesterday we buried my friend's son.
Who knows why he decided
To take his own life?

Was it because his mom worked
From 5 am to 10 pm and
Was never home to listen to his
Stories and complaints and
Because it got too hard to be a
Parent to the other kids when he
Needed a parent for himself?

Yesterday we buried a child – my friend's son
Her boy, the light of her life.