Steps of Grief

step one

stand in the shower long enough

that your sorrows wash off like suds and circle the drain and your

feet turn pruny and the hot water clicks off.

step two

watch the birds overhead

notice the slight air current that blows your bangs into you eyes

resist the urge to sweep the hair back to it’s place.

step three

forget your gloves and your jacket, stand at the bus stop in the cold

when the bus is late, shoot anger at the driver

lace your words with ice and pepper and act

hurt when they fire back.

step four

listen to your phone ring from across the room.

let your voicemail box fill up.

accidentally drop your phone in the toilet.

step five

forget to feed the fish and live off of

frozen lasagna and pop tarts

look at yourself in the mirror and 

don’t recognize the face. 

step six

tell yourself you’re fine and you’ll do it

tomorrow.

bite your nails and pile up the dirty dishes in the sink.

step seven

leave your blinds open, wake up to the sun

give yourself a hug in the morning

remember the keys before leaving

step eight

smile at the barista

remember how to spell the word l-o-v-e

call your mother

step nine

stand in the shower just long enough to fog up the mirror 

draw a heart with your finger

stop using your towel to dry your tears.