“Hermitude”

“Hermitude”

Safe in my shell
and still peeking out
from grief I have shouldered
with heart sad and stout

the colors are changing
no longer so grey
but once in a while
some clouds come my way

and then I pull in
until they have passed
the rain is more friendly
the ache not so vast

I carry it with me
this hole in my heart
the edges are healing
into a new start

not one that ignores
the sorrow and pain
or discomfort with
the messy refrain

instead there’s a welcome
the hole ushers in
a curious beginning
with shy gentle grin

I make no pretense
of knowing the way
my loss, my companion
will show me today

a corner now turned
how softly it comes
without expectation
it happily hums

befriending my grief
with kindness and care
is joy I can feel
and joy I can dare.

……….

If you are grieving, I wish you generous self-kindness as you walk with your loss.

……….

Image: philipp, for Unsplash. Location: Seychelles