madilyn alwardt Poet Free verse

Grief Is Quiet

Grief Is Quiet
Grief doesn’t scream like people think.
It’s quiet.
It sits in your room when the lights are off,
And whispers when no one else is talking.
It shows up in the middle of math class,
When you remember their laugh
Instead of the answer.
It sneaks into your throat
Right before you’re about to smile.
Sometimes it feels like carrying a backpack
Full of things no one else can see.
Heavy, but invisible.
You get used to the weight—
But you never forget it’s there.
People ask if you’re okay
And you say “I’m fine”
Because it’s easier
Than explaining the hole.
Grief doesn’t go away.
It just learns how to walk beside you
Without making so much noise.

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Christopher Delegans March 24, 2026 at 1:16 PM Well-penned, Madilyn. This is such a relatable perspective on grief. It never goes away and we really just learn to cope with it as time goes on. Thank you for sharing this with the community. madilyn alwardt March 25, 2026 at 5:27 AM Thank you for the kind words, just trying to get my work out there.