What is Grief?

Child swinging on wooden swing set with sunset over river valley

By Lucia Chavez, Y7

Grief is the pain one feels

When the person they love is gone

It’s when you love someone so much

And when they are gone that love has nowhere to go

Grief is a symbol of love

It is pain and suffering

But also a symbol that you cherish someone

Grief feels as if someone has taken a knife, dug deep

And cut out a piece of your heart

It is the feeling of fear, knowing you will never see the person again

It is the pain knowing that you can’t help

And it is the anger knowing you can’t bring them back

Grief is a void of pain,loss and loneliness

But grief isn’t all pain, it is love as well

It is remembering all the times they made you laugh, 

The phone calls every Sunday

And it is remembering that bond you had

Because even if they are  not physically there, they still live on through that bond

Whether it is doing strange dances with weird looks directed at you

Or maybe going to tea at the same place they took you as a kid

Or visiting their grave and laying a lily there

With every such gesture, you are saying

I love you, I miss you, and I cherish you beyond belief

Because you were my everything and you still are my everything

It could be a parent, grandparent, a friend or even a pet,

you are keeping their memory safe every day

So what is grief? grief is pain

But despite the pain

There is love beyond compare

It is rushing to get home

Rushing to be with them

Grief is crying together at the airport

Hoping to get home in time to say goodbye,

I love you and thank you for being in my life

Even though now we have to say goodbye

Grief is sitting on a swing 

Crying and wishing it didn’t have to happen 

It’s the hug you share when they’ve left and left for good

And it is the tears you cry when you know that they are not coming back

But grief is also being grateful,

Grateful for the time you got with them 

And for the memories you were able to make.

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