Grief as a Companion
We lay on the warm grass
idly watching the clouds pass by,
Grief and I.
We’ve been friends forever.
I gathered up some courage.
I’m scared of you, I said,
staring at the sky.
I still can’t look her in the eye.
Why? she questioned,
gently holding my hand.
You are a harsh teacher, I replied.
But you’ve learnt so much from me, she sighed.
I nodded. I agree.
I hated you so much at first.
Your face felt scary and old,
so many scars, such piercing eyes.
I’m mesmerized by your beauty now though,
and I think of you as my own.
But..I paused.
What is it? she prodded.
Every time you teach me something,
the lesson starts with a gut punch.
I know there are more lessons to come
and I don’t know if I have it in me
to get up anymore.
And that thought terrifies me.
She just smiled.
And I did too,
mine was shaky though.
And we just went back to watching the clouds,
two old friends,
a teacher and a student.
Poetry by Michelle