The Stages of Life

The clock ticks by
and we rarely notice.
It is one of those things
that just happens
with no awareness
to the mind.

It’s just another night
passing the time
and the phone rings.
It’s late
and I answer
anxiously
knowing.

The moment,
those words…
it has happened
and the anticipation
and the potential
can’t compare.

Loss
The overwhelming ache
of missing.

Denial
Sometimes I wait
for you
I expect to see you.
Sometimes I forget
and that’s the worst part.

Anger
I can’t understand
why so many lives
are taken from us.
We don’t deserve
to be stalked
by this dark cloud
steady precipitation.

Depression
Small things
trigger suppressed
memories.

There are
those instances
of realization
your absence
from the big moments
in my life, our lives
yet to come.
The instance
of realization
that this is actually
the worst part.

Acceptance
I have become
more aware of
the clock
it’s ticks.

Real loss is
always
prevalent
yet so is presence.

Isn’t it funny how
we will always tell your jokes
carry on your traditions
and attempt to fill your shoes
even though we claimed to
“dislike” them
when you were here?

Acceptance is not
forgetting
it is not
happiness
it is simply
understanding.