Sunday, January 19, 2014

A Box of Grief--By Poppy Herrin--United States

A Box of Grief

She keeps a box of grief
underneath the stairs.
Every day she takes it out
and has a hefty share.

She is lavish with her grief
that when a stranger knocks
she will hurry down the stairs
and open wide the box.

She shared it with me often
until I changed my tone,
and said “Keep it for yourself,
I have some of my own.”

Poppy Herrin is married to the love of her life Jason, and together they have four daughters and one grandson. She is originally from Laurel, Mississippi, but recently relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. By day she makes a living as a medical transcriptionist, and by night she works toward living the dream as a writer. Her poems have appeared in many publications and have received various contest awards.

5 comments:

  1. Very interesting write. Seems grief is a very difficult emotion to navigate - both for the one grieving and for those who are 'supporting'. The last verse made me chuckle somewhat, but oh, how I've often wanted to say those very words.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent Poppy, very pertinent, great flow and catchy. Bob

    ReplyDelete
  3. Poppy, I really loved the poem. The mini 'story poem' is so well written in so few words. You did a great job. I particularly enjoyed the punch line. "Keep it for yourself, I have some of my own." Boy don't we all.
    Love, Charlene

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fun and artistic, Poppy. This put a smile on my face. You are right. We have enough grief of our own to borrow someone else's. Great job. Continued blessings!

    -Maurice J. Reynolds, Owner / Editor
    TGBTG! Publications / Creative Inspirations
    www.tgbtgpublictions.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my gosh Poppy; this is a lesson in life and death. I love how the box is always there to access underneath the stairs. My gosh how i can forget the plight of others. I love how you expressed this, simply put. How boorish and annoying I can become.

    love,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete