Grief

We all get pushed, sometime,

through the mill of grief.

See how it changes us.

See how all the things we thought

were so important

are just nothing. All the contests

to be the most whatever —

successful, or attractive,

cool, or buff, or blessed —

are rendered pointless

In grief we have fallen

right off the escalator.

We find ourselves here at the bottom

while the parade rolls on above,

and when we see each other here

there’s nothing left to do but love.

And after that, there’s no returning.

From now on, we’ll see each other different,

the unmistakeable mark of tears

brightening each other’s eyes.

©Wendy Mulhern

September 7, 2016