If grief is like a pool

if grief is like a pool
you could hold your breath, and reach the bottom
and touch it, then turn
and launch yourself upwards
and breach the surface into light and air

friends ask you:
how deep is your grief?
will you hit your head if you dive in?
what fills the pool?
dread?  tears?

if grief is like a pool
then you will know it is not only straight down
but also to the sides, to the steps
to the shallow end
to the deepest portion

when it is empty
you cannot swim
you cannot splash
you cannot leave
you take a few steps
and wait

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For the adults and children of Newtown, Connecticut

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