Grief

Grief is where the memories are

Where loneliness dwells.

Grief is in all the places 

we visited together.

The burlesque statue at the museum

The coffee shop

New York City.

Grief is in the theater

where we watched The Great Gatsby.

Grief is thus in all things 

Great Gatsby

and in all things theater. 

Grief is in all things

one enjoys in company.

A bottle of wine.

Parties.

Holidays.

- Good grief!

The holidays!

Grief is in airports.

No more smiles

beyond the sliding doors.

Grief is in feeling

failure as a parent.

If only this damn grief would go away...

Grief is in wives' complaining about

their husbands not taking 

the trash out. 

And grief is in stupid comments.

Of course you know exactly how it is

to be in my shoes

because your husband

is on a two-day business trip

and you miss him

terribly.

Grief is everywhere. 

Everywhere.