Grief Lessons
I picked him up from school
the day my dad,
his grandpa, died.
I needed his company
someone to hear me.
He was only thirteen.
I drove through my tears
stopping and starting
a flash flood of tears
to a department store
to buy a white burial shirt.
Something,I had to do something.
He sat through my sobs
and then,quietly taking courage
“Mom,can you just cry once
and get it over with?”
He wasn’t being mean
just curious and honest.
I heard his question
for what it was.
“No son,it doesn’t work that way.
Grief is a thing
that doesn’t go away
quickly and chances are
I’ll cry again and again.
So next time when you’re around
If I start in
just sit by me and hug me or
put your hand on my shoulder
without saying a word.
I’ll know you understand
and I will feel better.
You don’t need to say a word.”
And so it was, months later,
when unexpectedly
the tears began again
my beloved son
sat by me
with his hand on my shoulder
and I knew, he knew
that was all I needed.