Because Grief

I have an email list of folks to whom I send little haikus and longer not haiku, and as you know, I sometimes post haiku here.

Here is a very not haiku that I just sent out, I figured I should share it with you, as we just lost RedHedd, and she joins so many others.

Because Grief

Because Grief
Is rolling across the nation
The world
The lasting effect of the virus
The pandemic
No one is addressing

Because Grief
Is strengthened when ignored
Deepened when unacknowledged
Carried so deep
With such soul-swallowing imminence
That tears, internalized, can
Wash away hope

But Because Grief
When shared
Is not lessened
But comforted somehow
Not muted
But softened
Even if it was silent to begin with
It roars inside

Because Grief
Can be soft as a sigh
Loud as anguish
Shared by the World
Or simply a family
Or a circle of friends
But still
Grief is
Individual
Personal
Lonely as hell
And aches
Even years later

You, stranger,
Who have lost someone
In this time of disallowed
Funerals
Postponed memorials
No contact un-gatherings
I see your Grief

And will listen
I promise
With my whole bruised soul

And Love
Will win
At Last