Grief

It’s okay to mourn someone who’s not dead.

Death separates.

It rips and tears,

Death suffocates.

Flaunts itself without care.

Not everyone grieves the dead.

Something else took their love.

“They’re only gone in your head.”

Swept under the old rug.

Did no one give word?

Not only death takes.

Haven’t you heard?

There doesn’t have to be a grave.

It is okay to mourn someone who is not dead.

Author's Note

Not the best - I just word vomited because I’ve had things on my mind.

Reviews

[Mrs Mania]

This whole poem really resonated with me, but I especially felt the depth of loss in the last five lines. I could relate to this one because my greatest experience with grief did not come in the form of a physical death. I wanted to share a few sentences from one of my writings, “Grief is Love” that reflect my journey with grief and healing:
“Do not diminish the love and memory by allowing grief to become a monster that engulfs you and leaves a dark void in your world. You’ll know when you have healed when grief is no longer an enemy, tainted with dark memories, but rather a friend.. accompanied by joyful memories, followed by a smile in remembrance.”

[Veronica]

Beautiful writing. encapsulates the feeling of grief very well. I'm sorry for your loss

[Chris Shaw]

That first line is incredibly powerful and resonates with me. I mourn a close relative with addictions. I love her but I mourn her and the grief can tear me apart at times. This poem speaks to me in a big way.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, there does not have to be a grave.
Many ways to die other than physically.
Emotional death is worse...especially the death of love.
It has its own little coffin and service...
and the goodbye words are brief and abrupt.
j.