When you meet someone deep in grief

WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE DEEP IN GRIEF

A poem by Patricia McKernon Runkle

———

Slip off your needs

and set them by the door.

Enter barefoot

this darkened chapel

hollowed by loss

hallowed by sorrow

its gray stone walls

and floor.

You, congregation

of one

are here to listen

not to sing.

Kneel in the back pew.

Make no sound,

let the candles speak