there will come a time
Emily Diamond

​sometimes
there is nothing you can do to stop it
it stands there in the doorway
feet apart
arms outstretched
barricading the entryway

you will make do with the
new presence
taking up space
in your already cramped apartment

it is a home nonetheless
just now a bit swollen

the walls give way to the pain
hunch over in fatigue

you will live with the
curves
as you live with yourself

gently
patiently

there will come a time

maybe as you walk up the front steps
arms full of groceries
maybe as you awaken
from a hazy dream

or maybe in the midst of it all

the moment will come wherever you are

let it hang in the
humid air
give it time to breathe

after all
grief is only so strong

it too will
wither with age
bow its shoulders
form creases around its eyes

one day you will notice
its limbs limp
arms hanging
feet together

look ahead of you
there is a doorway there
free for you to walk through