How Does One Dress for Grief


A day of pulled shades,
wishing January 13th
never happened,
and tears in my tea.

I hate goodbyes...
holding on to air
that is empty of
your warmth…..
a phone number
I can never dial again…..
a stone carved with your name.

Self- pity sent an invitation
and I scribbled my yearning
into attendance.
How does one dress for grief?

Sadness stalks me.
Today it is disguised
as spring wind….
It stirs the wind chimes
to play a tune of home,
but you are no longer there.

Time heals….Does it?
There are days I forget….
Maybe that is what healing is,
fewer days of remembering.



©Susie Clevenger 2013

I am missing my father today. He died
January 13th, 2011. Writing is 
my therapy so I channeled my tears into words.

dVerse Poets Pub ~ Open Link Night ~ Week 84

Comments

Sherry Blue Sky said…
Susie, this is a beautiful poem of remembering. Maybe thru the wind chimes, he was sending you a message.Hugs.
February 19, 2013 at 6:08 PM
Fireblossom said…
I don't know how to comment on this. I read it. I felt it. It moved me very much.
February 19, 2013 at 8:57 PM
Ella said…
OH, I know this wind...my Dad died on Jan 21st! (((hugs))) I know this vacant hole-I do try to fill it with the warm memories he made~ Remember his magic~ So touching!
February 19, 2013 at 9:59 PM
anthonynorth said…
So hard to cope with. The ending held great insight.
February 20, 2013 at 2:40 AM
Brian Miller said…
hugs.

losing a parent is hard...my wife lost her mom a few years ago...and that day always needs extra hugs so....
February 20, 2013 at 5:33 AM
Mary said…
The hard thing about grief, I have found, is that after the initial months people you know no longer KNOW that you are grieving & think life is just going on for you as usual. It is then that the grief is the hardest, as you don't talk about it, but you miss even more. A poignant poem, Susie. And, yes, I understand.
February 20, 2013 at 6:31 AM
Mixi said…
You really tugged at my heartstrings with this one... so moving, so real in its love and remembrance...

hugs!!
February 20, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Dick Jones said…
Nicely managed, Susie. Laying the feelings within the disciplines of language provides a degree of peace and comfort.
February 20, 2013 at 7:12 AM
Laurie Kolp said…
This really touched my heart, Susie... beautiful.
February 20, 2013 at 8:25 AM
Unknown said…
Your grief and loss are felt strongly throughout this poem. Aren't we lucky to be able to create our own balm with words. Blessings, Susie!
February 20, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Truedessa said…
Hello,

I could feel the sadness in your words. Kind thoughts heading your way.
February 20, 2013 at 7:02 PM
lucychili said…
hug.

beautiful tribute.
February 21, 2013 at 8:32 AM
Claudia said…
Today it is disguised
as spring wind….
It stirs the wind chimes
to play a tune of home... oh wow...so beautifully said.. a very moving write susie..
February 21, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Anonymous said…
What a beautiful poem. Loosing someone is difficult, especially if you are close to them. I can identify with the last line and I have certainly thought about it myself
February 23, 2013 at 11:25 PM
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