The loss was so profound
So deep
So all-encompassing that it
Seemed
For a time
As if the tears would
Never
End
“Will I ever stop crying?”
I asked the world in general
In poured the platitudes
The endearments
The empty gestures
And then she spoke up from the midst
“Never. You’ll never stop crying.”
How dare she say such a thing!
That’s not
What I wanted to hear
No one else said it…
And yet
Within those unwanted words rang
TRUTH
She walked a parallel road
To my own
She must speak Truth and Experience
If then I am to cry
For my remaining days
I must
Learn
Embrace
Accept
I closed my eyes
Visualized my intense overwhelming
Grief
It was the shape of an egg
And glowed
I reached out
Plucked it from where it hovered
Before me
Before my eyes
I held it
Within the palms of my
Trembling hands
I embraced it
Cradled it
Stroked it gently
Pulled it to my chest
And there I placed it
Pushing it
Deep inside
Right next to my whimpering heart
In that moment
I made my grief
A part of me
Forever
Changed
From that breath on
No worse
Nor better
But
Different
It does not define me
But it IS a part of me
And then
I was able to take that
First
Step forward
Weak and tired
Feet dragging
But it was still
A
Step
And now
I keep going
tara caribou | ©2020
This is brilliant. You have a real talent. I’ve walked for many years with the same grief inside me. It led me down all sorts of paths. But, unlike you, I never cried. Maybe I should have. Happy Christmas from Ireland 🎄
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Thank you for your kind comment. Yes, I’m a crier. I cry every single day. I hope you have a very happy Christmas as well.
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You write, what you feel. That is the best way to express yourself, your emotions. It was a pleasure reading this. MC from your writing soulmate far away…
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Thank you. That means so much to me.
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Going on. To go on is what we have.
I have my own grief. We all have.
This is beautifully penned.
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Thank you. It’s good to know we don’t walk alone.
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🌸🦋🌸
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Wow! This is such a brilliant stream of poetic thought. And, how powerful it is to accept one’s grief with the deep understanding that while it is a part of us, it does not define us. Just wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!
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Thank you. We all have our own kinds of grief. Much better to hold hands and walk together. And accept the Truth, the Reality, that we ARE walking this road.
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You are welcome and so right 🙂
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Was it about what I think it was? So powerful
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Yes. I knew you’d immediately know, considering…
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I hadn’t twigged to start off with, hope your ok
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I am. But I do think that grief, and living through grief, should be addressed more often. Writing about it, for me, is a form of therapy. This is part of my intentional grieving process.
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I can understand, feels so much better to vent, you got my ears if you want
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Thanks Phil. You probably know me better than most.
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Thanks for sharing this raw poem about grief brave soul.
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I think it’s so important to be transparent about our grief. Thank you for reading! 💕
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Definitely well said 🙂
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This is quite accurate; grief does not define us, but it is a part of our definition. Perhaps it is just the ink on this of our pages with the darkest lettering: the medium through which our story was recorded but not our story at all…
Anyway, great piece. I like the ambiguously optimistic nature.
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Thanks. I have found fighting grief does more damage than good. Embracing it, acknowledging it, makes us stronger and healthier. Thanks for reading. Hug someone you love, okay?
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Agreed. The concept I’ve always appreciated is that of acceptance without resignation. You accept the way things are, but that doesn’t mean giving up completely on overcoming the impact on your well being. I most certainly will… Thank you.
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Wise words, these. Thank you.
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Such deep feelings expressed so clearly. Sharing your grief so honestly is a powerful thing.
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I think it’s important to acknowledge the pain and grief, rather than pretend it doesn’t exist.
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I feel this one deeply.
Yesterday, we had a heavy spring rain and it brought out the vibrant beauty of the greens around me. Tears, like a spring rain, wash away the grayness in our hearts and let us see the other shining, good things more clearly. But, it’s a cycle and we must embrace it.
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You are absolutely right. For me, I am hit the hardest right here around his anniversary. But it’s been nine years and certainly the overwhelming and intense grief has gentled (for me…. we all process our loss differently).
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Though precious little time was mine before I had to part
Joy, to spend it all with you, and to remain now in your heart
-In honor of your son. I hope you are not offended that I took the liberty.
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Thank you, my friend. I am touched.
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Really great poem Tera. Grief is always there… and when confronted always brings the tears!
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It sure can. Thanks for stopping by Dwight.
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You are welcome Tara!
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