When You Think You’re Ready
to Pack Up Your Grief
by Alexis Rhone Fancher
Begin with his letterman’s jacket.
Bundle it together with regret.
Stack sorrow on top of his class ring,
interspersed with his hip hop cd’s.
Loneliness should not be smoothed over the heart,
nor his childhood drawings folded in on themselves.
Don’t tuck his senior portrait in the side pocket.
Lay it beside delicate items,
like feelings, face down;
place tissue paper on top.
Use additional layers to fold the last of him
in reverie, so it is engulfed.
Use this approach for your own heartbreak.
When friends ask to help, don’t
spread the grief around. Keep it for yourself.
When the suitcase won’t close, don’t sit on it.
Don’t even try to shut it.
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