The feelings that come up when we lose someone are
numb
disbelief, shock,
All of this is normal.
The reaction to death happens in zigzag ways
surprising us with levels of intensity
for a longer period than we thought possible
we have to trust that all that is happening is part of the healing
Mourning is a signature experience, unique to each person-- and at each loss-- in form, duration, and impact.
We may experience tears
Feel sadness that someone is gone
Angry that he or she was taken from us.
We are afraid of the emptiness we will feel now.

A
name
is
selected for her,
but felt,
deep down,
like
only
familiar chains.

She sat
in a little ball,
still and white,
with big eyes.
With a kiss,
the boy leaves
through the
window;
out there is
a shadow
waiting for
Annie
to sleep.

A monster.

Feeling
was far worse
when
it was all locked up.
In life
I think
one should
be
proud to
feel
an awful lot.