sadness
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On the Loss of a Friend
I take stockof sadness. How is itmeasured? At timesit fills this chipped cup. At timesit fills the sea. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Grief
Tears flow.Run themuntil they run clear. Tearskeep moistthe wounds,speed healing,prevent scarring. Sadness hurts,sometimes feelsit might kill. But sadness heals.One must trust this is so.Allow it. Sadness is baptism,ritual cleansing and promise–enter these watersboldly. One dayyou exit the fontwith memory intactbut… Continue reading
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Empty
"This morning,"she said,hands wrapped for warmtharound her coffee cup,"I woke up empty." "Empty?" he asked,spoonful of All-Branhalfway to his mouth."Empty as in…how?"For him,empty could be good, like Zen: open, clear, ready.Or empty could be sad, like death: … Continue reading
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Where Emptiness Leads
early morning darknesshouse chill from winter's nighthe sits on the couchalone, sadtentatively tasting an emptinesshe can't yet labelhe waits for the padded arms of the couchto wrap and hold himassure him the emptinesswhatever it iswill passor fillor perhaps take himsomewhereanywhereinto… Continue reading
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Christmas Wish #6
In this season,may you discover your own meaning. May you not be sucked inby the expectations of others.May it be (or not be)whatever it is (or is not) for you. Be silly, be joyfulbe withdrawn, be morose,be spiritual, be religious.Let… Continue reading
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Grandmother’s Farmhouse
After she died,grandmother's farmhouse–without anyone's intending it–evolved into a shrine,a monument to our lost history. Untouched, year upon year,it dusted over,much like, every week,the oak table that anchored the kitchendusted over with flour on baking day–only everywhere now–thick on painted window… Continue reading
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Steal This Bible
Steal this Bible from Days Inn!reads the stickeron the King James Biblefrom the bedside standin the motel where he's stoppedin the middle of Nebraskaon the cold side of I-80. Neon glows through the rain-streaked window,falls on the words of the… Continue reading
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To Change the World
To acknowledge life's sadness is not to be conquered by it.One can nod one's head to the inevitability of loss,but turn and embrace grace, compassion, hope, joy… This is the course of those who change the world–and the world yet to come. Text… Continue reading
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Whose Heart
Whose heart is thisbattered, shattered,scattered in pieces on my bedroom floor? Ah, it's mine. Unspoken, broken,I block the entrance,shoulder the bureau to barricade the door;I quote the raven: "Nevermore!" Text, image and audio © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights… Continue reading