necessary grief

creatures, our cousins
gone by our hand
forests torched
overgrazed prairie
so much concrete

shamed for tears
taught to hide loss,
to shut down

instead, feel the weight
lodged in your bones
find a place
sacred to you
form a circle with stones

kneel—
grief your accomplice
to befriend

2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.