Darryl Willis’ most recent poem to appear here was “Empty spirits” (December 2016)

How To Grieve
By Darryl Willis

Breathe deep and take in
the atmosphere and let it fill
your aching lungs until there is
no. room. left.
Allow
pain, hurt, and darkness fill
your bitter soul until there is
no. room. left.
And then
expel and expunge with a steady,
primal scream. Damn all
convention and propriety.

Weep, wail, lament and give
your spirit to be spent until
you are done. Let no one
dictate when this is so. Repeat
as the pain necessitates.
No one can rob you of your grief.
So breathe in: slow and deep.