She rarely spoke of her start in life Or the years she'd worked to overcome strife And all anyone saw was the smile in her eyes Too smug and self-righteous to ever realize Her tenderness, fragile, like a dream on the wind Made her easy to crush when she needed a friend When the love of her life loved someone else And spun her joy into a version of hell She sought out her comfort in the hugs of others But it was clear from their words they felt so far above her:

it could be worse - don't cry do not weep you have no right here you sit so sad and sighing while half the world is dead or dying they shamed her heart with verse upon verse of "just remember - it could always be worse"

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She moved on and found new smiles Worked at making life worthwhile But soon enough the hard times hit The kids were hungry in clothes unfit She toiled from dawn till late at night Though sad and worn she did not cry Until one day in weariness She wept to friends of her distress But once again they could not see Past their own big heads to their friend in need

it could be worse - don't cry do not weep you have no right here you sit so sad and sighing while half the world is dead or dying they tore her heart with verse upon verse of "just remember - it could always be worse"

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Then one day on a warm spring morning She fell to sickness with little warning The doctor confirmed her silent fears And told her she'd reached the dusk of her years Her heart was sad and she ached for friends For someone who'd hold her and help face the end But alone she drew her final breath And her "friends" were surprised when they heard of her death By way of GoodBye she left a few simple words And prayed they'd be heeded and not go unheard:
You always told me not to cry That as for weeping I had no right When I was sad and fell to sighing You said just think, you could be dying You broke my heart with your careless verse Don't you know I knew it could have been worse? I only wanted warmth and love But no matter my need it was never enough My last dying hope is that somehow you'll see How hurtful and careless your actions can be And maybe the next time a "friend" needs some care You will be kinder, and you will be there So farewell, remember, the point of this letter: It could have been worse, but it should have been better.