Grief Train

The grief train is in at the station

It’s whistle shrill and loud - announcing its passengers

All getting off, and getting into my stomach

It doesn't take long 

for this creature to make her full presence felt

Do not go looking for the grief she said.

Touché - it has enough of a wallop

To take it in spoonfuls when she comes

Today, like a light sprinkling of snow

over every-thing

A blanket of dark

that wants my full attention

These days

It is my work

to pay attention to her

My grief,

Pull up a chair

And let her air

her grievances:

Mother, lover, life

Moving through

The disappointments of what did not happen

The everyday losses, 

like,

Not having the children’s mother’s eyes

on my parenting

And then, without announcement

She will leave the station.

Go to another port, visit another city

The city of me is left with feeling.

Left alive

To be touched by this gift

Not something to let go by