Grief’s Undertow

 Walking the beach, wading at the water’s edge ~

stepping gingerly on shells broken by the force of nature.

I watch the sun cast its light over the ocean and wonder …

Where are you?

Can you see me?

Are you here?

Reflecting on these questions,

I am caught unaware.

A wave crashes in and knocks me off my feet,

dragging me into grief’s undertow.

It is a deep, dark and turbulent place!

Tears pour out of me as I gasp for air ~

drowning in despair and sorrow.

Slowly, deliberately, the wave subsides and

pushes me back to the shore.

Unsteady, I regain my footing,

mindful that more waves await me.

Determined to live on ~

I push forward to savor life once again!

Laurel D. Rund