The land held me when I cried.

The cat looked at me

it’s okay.

I brave-faced the sadness

sobbing it out of my eyes and throat and into the ground, into the sound

the wind, the rain, the blowing snow

it wasn’t fun but I recognized it as necessary.

A guide to keep going, I followed the sound of my grief and because I always come prepared with a bag, I had somewhere to hold my sense of belonging.

I belong here, with myself, I said. I’m safe here, with my self

she’ll crack open if I let her experience love

experience love

experience love, as proof my grief is real

for without one, I cannot have the other.

Good thing, I have good shoes

good shoes for good walking.

I keep walking towards love.

I keep walking with gratitude.