Grief and Healing

A never-ending island
drifting away
into the abyss,
carrying just me—
filled with
pain,
anguish,
and defeat.

That’s grief.

Stopping by
every now and then,
a reminder of
what once was,
what’s lost—
a taunting reminder.

That’s grief.

And then,
slowly,
unexpectedly,
the tide turns,
the water stills,
and I find myself
at a shore—
tears don’t burn me anymore
I can sift through memories again
without feeling lost
or singed
—and I can finally breathe.

That’s healing.

This piece is written in response to the two hundredth and eighty sixth edition of Fiction Monday inspired by the word prompt – GRIEF hosted by yours truly. Do join in if you have a tale to tell.