the grip of grief can be inescapable
but you’ve shown me the amount of love
that grief carries with it

you remove its wicked claws
just to hold its hand
you feel the pain of the stab but don’t move

you carry it on your shoulders with honor
because the lack of grief
is the lack of love

grief cannot exist without love
love cannot exist without grief
you find love in everything that you grieve

there is love in grief
and laughter
and light

you show me that
you guide me through
my light in grief