Grief

I drew a circle

Inside the circle I placed everything that reminded me of you.

I placed myself outside the circle

and turned my back to it

I would only visit when I felt like giving up

When I was already feeling weak and sad

When I could no longer

hide behind strength

behind activity

and noise

and life

I would come and sit inside the circle

and cry until I felt safe again

until I felt I could step outside the circle

and face the world without you

for another minute,

another hour,

and another day.