Trail of Grief

Horrible day today. Lots of tears. Took a shower just so I could sob my heart out. I don’t even want to listen to music today. Talked to a friend which helped for a bit. Forced myself to get out and take the dogs for a walk. Mostly just sat on the couch drinking wine, writing, and crying my way through the Harry Potter movies.

Trail of Grief

Sometimes grief is like
Navigating 
A trail in a jungle.

The trees are so thick
Overhead
That it is always dark.

Around every corner is a
Peril
Ready to strike.

Everyone’s grief is
Different-
So is everyone’s trail.

The trail must be traveled
Alone-
Although others may briefly join

To shine their lights of
Hope
In the darkness.

To provide momentary
Companionship
On the dark and lonely trail.

To offer support in the
Battles
Against the many hazards.

To offer advice at the
Crossroads
When the trail splits.

But ultimately all decisions are made
Alone
By the weary traveler.

There are patches of
Quicksand
Sporadically on the route.

They threaten to pull the traveler
Under
With grief all-consuming.

The traveler must quickly
Learn
Who to call for assistance.

There those who will enter the trail and
Throw
Out a vine without hesitation.

But there are also those who are
Scared
Of the trail and the darkness-

They might want to
Assist
But they don’t know what to do.

When it is time for the weary traveler to
Sleep
The loneliness becomes suffocating.

The traveler wonders
Why
This trail was given.

The traveler questions
How
The end will be reached.

The traveler tries not to run out of
Hope
For a better future-

But how could the future be
Better
Than the past?

Maybe the best days are
Over
And this trail is all that’s left.