the shape of grief
when you lose someone who means the world to you
your world changes
never returning to its former shape
it appears to others to be the same world
so it’s a secret you keep
until you can’t any longer
an anniversary
a place, flower or song
suddenly it spills out
you must tell the world
you are not the same
you have not been the same
you will never be the same no matter how much time passes
the illusion is just that
the pretense grows heavy
it requires too much energy to maintain
so you shed it
and discover others who know your secret
keep it themselves
believing they will not be understood
believing they too are alone
knowing time does not heal
time changes
what was already changed
all will be touched
eventually
shaped by love
altered by grief
Dear Reader:
The poem was inspired by thoughts of my brother and by my friends, in and out of the blogging world, who have shared their secrets with me: Franziska, Tamara, Sleepless Dave, Jon, Esmeralda, Jen, Gallivanta and Pam.
This is such a thoughtful and beautiful poem, Michele. I love the blogs you share about your brother. It’s as though I’m beginning to know him too. Thank you for sharing him with us ❤️
What a lovely thing to say, Marie. Thank you
A lovely poem with a beautiful image. On the 18th it was six months since my father died. My father loved roses. The florist managed to source a few for his funeral.
Thank you…very much appreciated. Hugs
Grief is so personal, even though profound losses are universal and part of life. When someone dies so young, I think we feel both the loss and the “what might have been”.
Well-put…