Grief Has Arrived by Priscar Njeri

(Poetry can be heard spoken by original author on Instagram.)

Grief has arrived
She has found me open
I am not surprised this time
I look at the door with half a smile

Hello, old friend
Welcome

I have kept your cup in the door under the kitchen sink
You can join me and have this tea
I don’t know why you’re visiting—this time
but I have sat with you long enough to know you are not my foe

Welcome, Grief

Sit at the table
Make yourself some tea
I have not thrown away any of your favourite clothes
or the slippers you like to wear every time you’re around

Welcome, Grief

I have learned you
And in knowing you, I am not afraid
Your waters will not break my heart
In this place, you and I will both find release

Welcome, Grief

Stay as long as you like
Come again, if you must
For though we are not friends, we are not foes
For though we are not friends, you have taught me so much

So, stay

I will make us some tea
Some Chamomile to calm our hearts
And we will sit by the window and talk
And you will tell me what hurts, dear friend

You will show me where it hurts the most
You will teach me, my love, what needs healing
I know you
Be still

Let me examine your body
Show me the wounds, honey
Show me the tears
There are no worries, here you are safe

Here, you are safe

Open
Tell me where it hurts
Tell me what needs healing
Peace

I will not turn you away, Grief

Look me in the face
I am not afraid of your tears
Of your wells, of the rain
Peace

Be still
You are welcome here

And when you have healed
And your smile cracks through your tears
If you want, you can leave
Or you can stay a little longer still

And we will sit by the fire
I will make us some Hibiscus tea
And you will tell me how it feels
to carry the hurt of the world

Peace, Grief
You are welcome here

Because here we grieve
But we do not drown
We grieve
But we do not drown.

 View print-friendly version