Grief

Grief
is a ringing bell
inside the quiet
of the mind;
it makes a bright,
tinkling sound
which, though soft,
pierces the silence
in a way that
cannot be ignored.

Though many try
to convince themselves
that the sound
does not exist,
its reverberations,
if unaddressed,
will continue to grow
until the one, so afflicted,
can run no further
from the truth
of its being.

Once acknowledged,
the maddening notes
cannot be destroyed,
only released,
transformed one by one
into wails and tears
until all are exhausted,
leaving a quiet mind
that will no longer
thwart the recovery
of a battered
and weary soul.