The Seven Stages of Grief | Shock

The Seven Stages of Grief

i.              Shock

“Well kid, I gotta go return some videotapes,”

You quote American Psycho,

As your parting words to me.

You must always be the main character in my story,

Maybe that was the problem all along.

«

After you leave my house,

With my tears etched onto your chest,

Which fittingly read “HOPE”,

I realized Taylor Swift was still singing.

Don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere.

I think,

This can’t be happening.

Did this happen?

I walk over to the window just in time to see your car pull away.

«

I was freezing,

Cold to the touch.

I went to the gym with tears still wet in my eyes.

I ran a 13.5,

Just to prove to myself,

There was still strength somewhere inside me.

Everyone around me jumped the rails,

But I believe,

In running down what you built.

«

When I inventory my home,

I find your five finger discount shopping,

My coffee maker,

Groceries,

My pickleball set.

I can’t believe it,

No matter how many times my eyes tell me it’s true.

«

Two weeks later,

I wake up to an alert emoji,

Followed by screenshots of your Raya profile.

I wish this is the first time this has occurred.

Want to play some tennis?

You ask the collective.

Don’t you mean pickleball?