Grief

Grief




We hear of endings
and that last time…
that last moment,
saying goodbye
and yet,
no warnings of “first times 
when they are no longer here…

first Christmas
first New Year
first birthday
and many other firsts!

who would have known
the last would turn full circle
to the first
being as tender as that last day
bittersweet in many ways
ingredients of woe
are recipes of grief.
how to separate sorrow
from blissful memories?
you don’t
it’s not planned
it’s processed
it’s lived


it’s worn
like an old hoodie
fitted like a soft duvet
feeling like a heavy blanket
struggling with the heaviness
of fond narratives of a past
Ah but the weight one feels
of such collections that we sort
but carry oh so selfishly…
letting go is not a language
yet understood…
hanging on to each word,
nouns, pronouns, 
and so many missed verbs!

time does lighten the quilt
weaving but heartfelt stories
every shade and colour
securing them with bonded yarn
strong, everlasting scripts
never-ending stories
our heritage woven tenderly
a family heirloom.
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  
my heart swells
special people who matter
with boundless love

© Cheryl-Lynn 2026/10/23

Recited at the internment of my Aunt Mae on this day...you are missed and loved by so many!