August 21st

“It was told Joab, ‘The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.’” 2 Samuel 19:1

some seem to think
that grief has a shelf life
of 72 hours and then should be
thrown into the nearest bin.
others, especially those who are
of the religious persuasion
silently give the message that
one should move on as quickly
as they do, once they have said
a few kind words known by rote.
a few are like the folks who cross
to the other side, in the parable once told,
as if they are worried the mere whiff
of grief will cling to their clothes.
but you, God-who-knows-grief-intimately,
simply, and always,
cups your hands to catch our tears,
draws us up in your lap when we are lonely,
is waiting outside the door
when we dare to venture out,
and hugs us tightly to you when
the emptiness of intimacy shatters us.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman