The recent storms in the South sparked this idea. And often opening to the new means letting go of the old– amidst a storm of feelings.

 

(She Said) Grief

                    (she said)
grief comes in gusts
like the wind
breaking limbs
and grief it comes hard
like a flood
picking up
garbage and houses
and autos and cows
grief when it’s sweeping’s
relentless
like storms

                    (she said)
pain in my middle
my soul’s
bleeding out
a guitar with no strings
and no arms
left to hold
a bird with no song
and no limb left
for rest
this pain in my middle’s
no heart
in my chest

                    (she said)
grief’s a tornado
this pain
is my soul
retching and heaving
and longing
for home
reaching and heavy
and longing
for home

 

jle 2022