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.