In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to offer daily poetry during April.
Grief
1.
Grief stuffs my mouth
with sawdust. Yet
everything in me
wants out, a flock
of birds wanting
home.
2.
My heart, four chambers
of ash, too delicate
to touch. Bring me
a vase, an urn, a coffin
a casket, a grave
for this grief.
3.
Such arrogance
to want to ask anything
of the dead, even
their composure.
4.
Grief
is an ambush. Have me,
then. Let me
decompose, all my stuffing
spilled out for the birds. Then
I won’t be
so useless, so
insubstantial, so
alone.
© Laurel Rust
Laurel,
You are a wildly amazing poet.
Rachel
Sometimes poets and writers like Laurel, say things that the rest of us can’t because words are not part of our personal expression. I paint, but thank god that Laurel writes!
laurels for laurel
So much said with so few words, my Friend!
thank you, laurel, for this poem; epic, universal. true. and said as only you can.