instructions:

hold the door open when she arrives -
she will either storm in or hesitate,
and you must prepare for both.
she will either drift away or gravitate-
you must decide this,
for she can only move when you do.
her hands may be tied,
but her presence can both
arrest and resuscitate.

smile at her when she steps inside -
she will walk into your home,
not knowing the words you will use,
she might either be wound up too tight
or shaken up too loose,
depending on how right you thought
you once were.

let her breathe -
in anger or in exhaustion -
either way, she will wait for you
to settle down first,
and ask for unspoken allowances.
give them to her -
it has taken her time and patience and tears
to get here in the first place,
just like you.

say hello, and maybe throw in another smile -
the pain only stops
when your fears and her tears drop
to the ground.

hold her hand -
she is either raging or grieving.
either way, your hand on hers
means that there is a way out
from the cycles of loss that you find yourselves in.
(both of you)

listen to an old song with her -
when she is finally ready to leave,
she will either mourn you
or take comfort in you.
the words and voices of those wiser than you both
will guide you in this growth.
she is a part of you,
you are her home.

When Hurt leaves,
just ask that the next time she must visit,
she brings Hope along.
Three voices are less lonely together
than just two.