Grieving

Icy winds scream, banshee like, across the ground
as laden clouds gather, ready to shed their tears.
Tears I cannot let loose,
for the stranglehold of grief and anger in my throat.

Unvoiced pain lances through me as I watch the recently turned earth
shiver, crumble, slide, trickle
before the onslaught of the wind.
And still I cannot grieve

Your headstone newly minted, words slashed on its surface,
gleams in the failing light.
Proclaiming to the world lost hope and love,
screaming of your death.

I sink to my knees, tears drowning my eyes,
damming the grief within me.
Sobs crowd my chest, blocking breath,
leaving me gasping and clawing for air

A hand floats down and rests on my shoulder.
It grips tightly, comfortingly,
as its partner gently stokes my hair, smashing the wall inside me,
and I fall apart

Burning, fiery tears stream, flood from my eyes,
etching scalding trails on my cheeks,
searing my throat, my heart, and I wail,
as the storm clouds shatter

Lightening splinters the dark furious sky.
Thunder smashes the silence, deafening me
as pent up grief, and feelings of betrayal
sear through me, and threaten my sanity

Rain hammers upon my bended head and shaking shoulders.
The hand holding me grips tighter,
anchoring me to the ground, keeping me there
as grief and fury threaten to break me

A warm body wraps me in its safety, enclosing me.
Arms, strong and comforting, enfold me
and a beloved and loving voice
urges me to let go

The storm rages overhead. Obscurity almost complete,
save for the jagged lightening splitting the dark.
The thunder crashes, the force of it stunning me
and the rain pours down, battering me.

I howl, I rage, I scream out in the agony of loss and anger.
I beat my breast, and rip out my hair
ss sobs erupt, spewing out and burning the air,
and I convulse with hurt, quaking.

The storm, its passion spending, lessens its ferocity.
The thunder booms gently, quietly.
The rain slows, falling almost tenderly,
caressing and soothing me now.

The tears slow, the screams mute and cease,
as blessed release loosens the choking in my chest.
I weep gently now
allowing my grief to flow through me.

I lay my head upon the chest beneath me,
tears falling softly
as the storm within and without passes,
leaving peace and silence in its wake.

Sobs hitch and subside as tiredness engulfs me.
Strong arms lift me, cradle me; protect me,
holding me closely, gently, as I close my eyes,
and sleep.

One day I will weep no more when I think of you.
I will smile as memories unfold.
But for now my sorrow is too raw, the loss too soon
and I will grieve once more