but love (is memory)

by melanie j zipin

sometimes sadness washes over you

and you just stand in the rain and get soaked

drenched

unmoving

inconsolable

blinded by grief masked in tears –

you don’t care

there’s nothing you want to see

nowhere you want to go

buckled – gutted by waves of pure sorrow

drowning

gulping in air

maybe that’s where you need to be

time is suspended

everything goes still

silent utters

forever changed

when the sun comes out, it’s unwelcome

and yet…

a baby cries – or laughs

and we respond

we must

we are still here

we are alive

we refocus

we engage

reluctantly

inevitably

continuing

until it’s our turn to let go

this is what we’re made of -

this is what we’re left with - -

this is what we leave - - -

- stardust

- - broken hearts

- - - storm clouds

and whatever’s next

even memories can fade

but we know how they made us feel

what we are connected with

what can we take with us?

what do we leave behind?

nothing that will last.

nothing that is permanent

nothing at all

but love