Note: This post doesn’t render properly in the Reader. It is best viewed in a browser due to formatting.
grief has arms
it’s an animal
it barks and howls
it clenches your heart
it squeezes. strangles.
hoofed and clawing.
catches in your throat.
uneven. unsteady. airless.
In the beginning, it was death that came between us. Loss, and what was left, for me, was survival, and how long to wait before grief begins, as if this ache was grief, or some dead language of ash-laden air.
and then there’s guilt
as if grief isn’t enough
it fills your head
between you and me
like a rusty cut
it’s a desperate grab
a soundless voice
sheets of forever dark
And later, it was death that filled my days, when only sleep could cut me loose, of regret, of words said, and those unsaid, as if time was wasted, to
confess, forgive. a kiss goodbye. grief is too sly.
to sleep
be numb
to the sting of salt
between you and me
to sleep to lose yourself
to your flesh. your heart.
from a single last word
there’s always us
written for dVerse Poet, Stages of Grief Photo by Rainhard Wiesinger on Unsplash.
It's Still Life 
11 responses to “dVerse Stages of Grief”
This is brilliant Misky! 😁👏👌 “
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Thanks so much, Ken.
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“Clenches your heart…”Catches in your throat…” “Strangles…” Yes to all these! 👍👍
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Misky, you brought the animalistic anguish to life here. So painful to read. The format works so well for the concept. Each word counted in potent particularity.
Misky do you want to link this up to Mr. Linky?
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Ordinarily I would, Lisa, but my eyesight is suffering a bit right now, and I’m limiting my reading time. Im very pleased that enjoyed reading mine though. Thanks.
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Ah, ok, that makes sense. You are very welcome, Misky.
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Wow Misky. I felt this deeply. Almost made me cry. And amazing layout. Usually I find that kind of layout distracting and my eyes hop about not sure what to do but for some reason with yours I just settled in, grabbed by each and every phrase.
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Thanks so much. I had to make a screen grab and upload it because the Reader messed with the blocks. These blocks aren’t fool-proof!
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No but they’re happily engineered. 😉
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The happiness team – maybe Snow White is in there somewhere.
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LOL
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