The Chasm

My children’s reaction
Upon hearing of the divorce
A shock to me

After all,
They were all adults
Save one, who was one month shy

Sure, I knew they’d be sad
And they’d be upset,
But they knew it was coming, right?

My first…
Of many mistakes
Naively assuming their feelings

Frustration and hurt
Were at the center
But at the core, was anger

And my inability to grasp

And respond
Ignited the flames

My helplessness

Compounded
By years of jammed up work weeks

Muted by the abyss

The chasm was vast
And wide
_____

I wrote this for the Week 90 Trifecta Writing Challenge where were are to write a 33-333 word composition using the word "grasp" in the context of take hold of in the mind, as in "comprehend".

Your comments are appreciated.