Funerals

At my grandmother's funeral
being a toddler 
I didn't understand death
or why we had funerals.
I didn't understand
why everyone was sad.
Some were crying.
I thought it was about 
the beautiful flowers.
Mom held me in her arms
while she wept.
My sisters Jan and Yvonne
were carrying flowers.
"I want to carry flowers."
I demanded.
"You're too little."
I was always too little.
I started screaming.
Mom responded,
"Quit your crying!"
"Everybody's crying.
Why can't I cry?"
I sobbed.
Funerals aren't fair.