We all get pushed, sometime,
through the mill of grief.
See how it changes us.
See how all the things we thought
were so important
are just nothing. All the contests
to be the most whatever —
successful, or attractive,
cool, or buff, or blessed —
are rendered pointless

In grief we have fallen
right off the escalator.
We find ourselves here at the bottom
while the parade rolls on above,
and when we see each other here
there’s nothing left to do but love.

And after that, there’s no returning.
From now on, we’ll see each other different,
the unmistakeable mark of tears
brightening each other’s eyes.

©Wendy Mulhern
September 7, 2016