When Grief Comes: a poem

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

When grief comes and reaches

with long fingers — bone dry and persisting

When grief comes and wails her sorrowful songs—

bringing anguish on the train of her dress

When she comes and looks long knowing looks

in your mirror — carving out your socketed-eyes and making them ghosts

howling and rattling

Still yourself

and embrace her with gentleness

Let your tears ease her longing

Hold a space for the awe that she brings like a sickle

She will show you the magic of what you have lost —

though it be on the edge of a blade

She will astonish you with the reflection of your own

fierce and wild love

And though there be darkness that follows —

you will never have seen colors so bright as what she bears