C S Lewis, A Grief Observed.
Loneliness is just one of the many facets of the human condition but, when combined with the grief and pain of bereavement, it must be particularly difficult to bear ... but bear it we must.
CRAB
Inside a carapace, he hides,
a hermit, once an extrovert;
he, with his wife, a double act.
whose parties, cocktails, dance-floor glides,
charmed friends galore. A massive hurt
uncoupled them, left him intact.
Bereaved a year, he holds routines
sacred; does his washing, Tuesday,
shopping for essentials, weekly.
Sunday lunch is tinned baked beans.
He moves forward in his own way:
head drawn in, crablike, obliquely.
Yes, very poignant.
ReplyDeleteOn reflection, perhaps something lighthearted might have been more appropriate for National Poetry Day. I hope you celebrated the Day by writing furiously, John?
ReplyDelete