To Grieve

Abstract

“Your Face”, Rumi

You may be planning departure, as a human soul
leaves the world taking almost all its sweetness
with it. You saddle your horse.

You must be going. Remember you have friends
here as faithful as grass and sky.

Have I failed you? Possibly you're
angry. But remember our nights of conversation,
the well work, yellow roses by ocean,

the longing, the archangel Gabriel
saying So be it. [Finlay], your face,
is what every religion tries to remember.

I've broken through to longing now,
filled with a grief I have felt before,
but never like this.

The center leads to love.
Soul opens the creation core.

Hold on to your particular pain
That too can take you to God.

My work is to carry this love
as comfort for those who long for you,
to go everywhere you've walked
and gaze at the pressed-down dirt.

Pale sunlight,
pale the wall.

Love moves away.
The light changes.

I need more grace
than I thought.