I hear grief knocking on my door
trying to get in
I let him knock….and he does so incessantly
I’m not falling for that again
All he bears are misery and extreme pain
The last time I opened that door
-I was thrown off my feet -unto the floor

That strangle-hold- to where my breath caught
-piercing the abscess on my heart- followed by the squeeze
-the clawing at my guts- leaving them to bleed
-that sitting on my chest -refusing to leave

When he left- I don’t recall
but he took a part of my soul
and left behind some of his pall

I hear grief knocking on my door
trying to get in
Cannot, Will Not- heed his call
(instead)
I pull on my headphones
and put the kettle on
Assuredly not heeding his call
Not……at……. all….

©Vivian Zems

Real Toads- Tuesday Platform