Tangles & Tails: Tracey Kiff-Judson's Blog

Grief

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Written by: Tracey Kiff-Judson
Category: Blog

 

Grief is the rawest emotion. What's lost will never return.

Grief means living in the after, knowing there’s no path back to the before.

I won’t welcome grief. Not yet.

 

painting source: Mezma and Azzayal

 

 

Dragonfly Grief

Dragonfly dances,
lake-bound,
skimming midges.

Does she know
grief,
loss,
sorrow?

When she draws
her last tiny breath
and sinks
into blue,
gives up 
all she knew,
does she exhale
satisfaction
or relief?

© Draft, Tracey Kiff-Judson

 

 

photo source: Glaminati.com

 

An exchange of blog comments with Margaret Simon inspired this poem.

 

Without You

I cling to
cool cotton pillows,
firefly flashes,
summer-sweet
plums.

Comfort comes
in small doses.

© Draft, Tracey Kiff-Judson

 

Please visit our Poetry Friday host Molly at Nix the comfort zone for this week’s round up. To learn more about Poetry Friday, please check out: What Is Poetry Friday? by Renee LaTulippe.

24 comments

  • I think there's no better definition for grief than this: "Grief means living in the after." We grieve both looking back and looking forward. Grief is lonely...until you open the door to let others share your burden and their wisdom.
    Thank you for your raw and honest poems. May our community send you moments of solace.
    • Thank you for your kind words and meaningful insight, Mary Lee. So true about the grief of looking both forward and back.
  • Like Mary Lee, I'm struck by "Grief means living in the after." I also really like, "Comfort comes/in small doses." It's like looking for the "pocket of okay" in your day (not sure who originated that). Things don't have to be good, but there can be a bit of relief in a pocket of okay. I like how the title of your dragonfly poem rhymed with the last line. Is that a form? xo
     
    • Tabetha, I am so happy that you noticed that rhyme. It is not a form I know of, just happy happenstance! Mmm, yes, a “pocket of ok,” love that idea of a moment of grace.
  • Just beautiful, Tracey. "Grief means living in the after." Yes. Even your introductory lines here are poetry. ❤️
  • Your words are packed with tender emotion, Tracey. May you continue to find peace in your memories, family, and friends.
    "Comfort comes in small doses."
  • These are such poignant, heartfelt poems, Tracey. I always think that grief is seismic and that we have a whole new landscape to figure out in the aftermath of loss. I hope that writing and shared community offer solace. I so appreciated many of the comments today as well--"pocket of ok" is a concept I will carry forward with me. 
  • Tracey, I am honored that a virtual exchange led to such a tender poem. I love turning to nature for such wisdom. Lovely specific imagery in “cool, cotton pillows, firefly flashes, and summer-sweet plums.” 
  • Tracey--both of these poems are so heart-wrenching and beautiful. I loved "sinks into blue" and "Comfort comes in small doses." Hugs! 
  • Tracey, your close examination of grief causes me to pause and think. None of us are immune to such emotion, so these feelings are connections we feel. Poetry is often about such things. Thank you for this respectful and gentle reminder. 
    • Thank you, Alan, for your thoughts. You are right - none of us are immune from grief. It does seem that poetry helps one process. : )
  • Thanks for both of your moving poems Tracey, grief is a difficult area to navigate and affects each of us in a different way. I like your choosing a dragonfly. Dragonflies are true transformers with their metamorphosis, they take a long time in their nymph stage and then so much shorter for their life. I just finished a large painting featuring an amazon like figure and metamorphosizing dragonfly, thanks for all. 
    • Michelle, that is so interesting! I have been working on a picture book about a dragonfly nymph and a catfish! : ) Thank you for your thoughts!
  • Thinking of you, Tracey...especially with this deeply felt expression of loss. Living in the after --- I suppose it's all we can do, right? I am mesmerized by your dragonfly, too. I hope her last breath is with sweet surrender.
  • Tracey, "Comfort comes/in small doses" is a beautiful way to choose closure for your poem.
    "Grief is the rawest emotion." How well I know the truth in this statement!
  • Tracey, here's to you and to the comfort that will come. Living in the after is not easy. I like the stubborn, like a dragonfly, "I won’t welcome grief. Not yet." Your poems are beautiful, and I'm sending you a big hug. 

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