A Friend For Sorrow

When I am sad my pets give me comfort, and some of my friends. Not the ones who are too sympathetic. I cannot hear them right now. They tend to say the things that make me feel worse. When I am grieving I have to wail and scream and keen for a while. Then I sleep under an electric blanket, sometimes with sleeping pills. If I can stand to refocus myself, I get out my paints and my brushes. Painting a canvas, writing a poem, and funny movies help me get over it. I call one friend I trust and ask her not to talk, only to listen. She is the only person I know who can do this. I tell her everything. She can listen and listen and listen, without giving me any feedback. This gives me almost as much comfort as snuggling with my pets. I feel respected and listened to, but she does not say the wrong thing. She knows to not speak at all. Everyone needs a friend like this for sorrow.