Aware of Darkness
Who is to say one’s grief
is greater than that of another?
Never really gone,
all exist in all they touch,
yet some are touched
in ways that cannot be equaled.
Who is to measure a loss,
if not the one whose heart
cannot find a way to fill a space
that already holds something
that can no longer be touched?
One who sees the darkness
that would consume
the light that fills that space.
One who lives with that grief.
These are my thoughts after reading Beware of Darkness, by Kerfe Roig.
Linked to Open Link Night at dVerse Poets Pub
rivrvlogr 
Grief, like any liquid,
takes form from the vessel.
Greater, lesser,
full is still full,
empty still empty.
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That it does, and whether full or seemingly empty it is hard to bear.
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I often think that grief is the numbing sense of lacking the touch.
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Yes, and lost opportunities.
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Nice last stanza. It is difficult to measure loss especially with the darkness filling the space.
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Thank you, Frank. Yes, so true.
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The pain holds the space as long as it needs to. Maybe some pain needs forever.
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Yes, Some will never let go.
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A wonderful poem, Ken!
Who is to measure a loss,
if not the one whose heart
cannot find a way to fill a space
that already holds something
that can no longer be touched?
Who can measure the depth of the soul?
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Thank you, Dwight. Yes, limitless.
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Important questions, and difficult answers or non-answers. We all have the lens of our own perceptions, so when tragedy strikes, it is our loss, our grief that is paramount. So those idiots in rural ,areas who seem indifferent to the pandemic have a rude awakening lurking nearby.
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Thank you, Glenn. Everyone learns, eventually.
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Who is to say indeed. Grief can be so elusive at times.
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And at other times too easy too hold, but awfully hard to define.
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Yes, so true.
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Beautiful tribute to loss.
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Thank you, Barb.
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Well written piece about grief.
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Thank you.
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a very heartfelt and profound excursion into loss and grief …
none can be measured or compared as they are all deeply personal!
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Thank you. They are, like apples and oranges, and impossible to weigh one against another
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absolutely, couldn’t agree more!
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We can never know the depth of another’s grief. We all grieve in different ways. We can only stand by.
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Yes, and understand.
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So stark in its beauty. You honor me again.
and the slight turning of the title is perfect. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. The honor is in finding words to inspire.
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Grief and loss are not easy to talk about. I appreciate your tender exploration of what this can mean, what this can feel like. This stanza especially spoke to me,
“Who is to measure a loss,
if not the one whose heart
cannot find a way to fill a space
that already holds something
that can no longer be touched?”
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Thank you, Ali. It can seem a lonely space.
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I love the sensitivity of these questions and observations, indicating the care one must take when someone brings their grief into the space. These lines are so wise and such a deep perception, “Never really gone,
all exist in all they touch,
yet some are touched
in ways that cannot be equaled.”
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Thank you. Understanding our differences is important.
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Your poem is soaked with grief, Ken. The question in the second stanza spoke to me so clearly – and the answer.
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Thank you, Kim.
Yes, something we’ve all known.
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Nice blog 💕
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Thank you. 🙂
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My pleasure, followed you 😇
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Yes, very profound and that sense of that space, that loss is very touching.
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Touching indeed. For all of the senses. Thank you.
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I think it is the strongest form of love.
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Yes, something of the deepest, greatest significance. Thank you, Mish.
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Such sensitive words – and a balm to all who grieve. You recognize the paradox of universality and uniqueness inherent in all creation, but especially important to remember both in grieving and in offering solace- so important not to trespass.
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Thank you. Yes, essential to understanding.
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