Grief

Everyone says that there
Are 5 stages of grief.
They give you books or pamphlets
Through which you can leaf.

First is denial--
You can't believe it's true,
You must have missed something,
Some important clue.

Second is anger--
At anyone or anything at all,
The doctors, your loved one for leaving,
Some even think God is at fault.

Third is bargaining--
I could have done something,
Or paid more attention--
All different kinds of reasoning.

Fourth is depression--
You don't care about a thing.
You sit and stare into space,
Or can't stop crying.

Fifth is acceptance--
They really are gone.
And all you can do
Is try to carry on.

There is no time frame
For each stage,
You go at your own pace--
Only you can gauge.

Each of us handles it differently,
There is no "correct way",
You just take it
Day by day.

You know you won't forget them--
They left an imprint on your heart.
And know the time will come
When you never more will part.