Grief has a face
Painted and powdered
A made up facade
Not a hair out of place
Grief has a face
Sometimes it smiles
Some days, it cries
Stunned and silent
Some days it sighs
Grief has a face
Dons a black mask
Hiding its aching core
Lips shut, eyes downcast
Silent screams galore
Grief has a face
Things look normal
All seems to be well
What’s really the matter?
No one can ever tell
Grief has a face
One day, the shell cracks
The dam of hurt bursts
Deluge of bloody tear tracks
Things go from bad to worse
Grief has a face
Why do we hide our pain?
Can’t we share our sorrow?
There is nothing to gain,
If we wait until tomorrow.
Grief has a face
Touching and poignant, Sulekha! The pain is so real and how well you paint a wistful picture in your poem.
Esha, thanks for your warm and touching comment. I write to lessen my pain but some losses are unbearable.
The more we hold, the more it hurts. It is always to good to find an empathetic listener. Beautiful and poignant poem ❤️
True that, thanks.
It sure does. This poem just hits the right chord.
Soumya, thanks.
Yes, why do we hide our pain? You’ve woven that question so eloquently through these verses, Sulekha. Truly beautiful poetry!
Vinitha, poetry frees our siuls, right?
Beautifully put Sulekha. Sharing grief is the only way to make it lighter and yet that’s never easy.
Tulika, we forget that everyone is hurting.
Why, indeed, do we hide our pain?
This was so moving, Sulekha! Loved it. 🙂
Love your comment, Shilpa.
Hi Lucky, Nikita here, can’t believe and yet so happy to be connecting with you after sooooo many years. Please do reply and connect with me. I am settled in Vadodara these days. Go to Mumbai every now and then for my mother. My father passed away in 2022. Till last year spent 23 years in Pinjore, Haryana. Bye for now, do respond and rekindle our old days. Your writings and musings are just amazing. Lots of love and memories, Nikita