The passing of a former classmate due to cancer has stirred up strange emotions for myself, especially witnessing his wife having to deal with the aftermath of an untimely death. Many of you know I went through my own grief almost 12 years ago when my boyfriend Ken died at the too-young age of 20, and the weight of this current tragedy is drudging up some old and unfortunate feelings and memories I experienced at that time.
Of course, I know this time is not about me and what I experienced, but I'd be remiss to not actually acknowledge how grief has a strange way of lingering. I won't begin to compare, however, the similarities between the two periods: each life is unique, and therefore is each death, and each perception of it.
No matter what though, I think everyone would agree that the actual experience of grief is like a friend unexpectedly coming for a visit, and then overstaying his welcome. Then fearing that he may (and most likely) will come back again later, uninvited.
I tried to put some of my feelings about the grieving process into words. Enjoy. Or rather, just cry with me.
Grief is like fluorescent light
Amid the blackest throes of night
Blinding in its heavy bright
Exposing every bruise to sight
Relieving darkest mysteries
Shines counterfeit realities
But buzzing does the ears not please
The public clambers to the source
The closest long to leave with force
Then.
Then it hijacks life's pace.
Every rhythm and rhyme.
(Not to mention, analogies.)
Taking prisoner time
And hostage grace.
Never, no, will that light be missed
By the saints who've been sun-kissed.
