When I Grieve

There were so many present today,
To pay their respects and
To bid you their final farewells.
Some expressed grief at your sudden absence,
Some took a fond walk down the memory lane.
Some left early having fulfilled their societal responsibility,
Some sat in silence, unable to articulate their many thoughts.
What about me, you ask?

I wondered.
I wondered what will it be like?
When I run out of the last of your favourite biscuits.
Or when the bedroom stops smelling of your aftershave.
When your loyal labrador is too old to go for a walk,
And when the flowers stop piling at your grave.
When the oak tree in the backyard withers,
And when they stop selling your treasured cigarettes.
What if our trusted tea shop around the corner closes down?
And all your shirt buttons start coming undone one by one.

I wondered.
I wondered what will it be like?
When everyone stops grieving,
When everyone moves on.
What will it be like?
When I lose you in the truest sense,
And I finally grieve in a world happy without you.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Ashley Avatar
January 2, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Dear Upasana, congratulations for your success in Mark's contest with your exquisite, passionate poem. The sorrow and loss, the grief, the wondering, is expressed in such a tender, yet powerfully moving, way. Your last line is a potent and poignant finale that lingers on the mind and heart. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Gauthier Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
A very moving poem. Loved all the details. Congrats on your fine finish in Mark's Marathon, Upasana ~ well done
Toney Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Upasana, congratulations on earning an Honorable Mention in the 2025 Poetry Marathon’s FINAL Placement Contest—your poem stood out in a very competitive field of submissions. The poems of the 37 qualifiers can be accessed from my current "Finish Line" blog post. Time to take off those running shoes and give those feet a rest!
Toney Avatar
November 1, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Upasana, this is a heartrending poem of loss and the sorrow that continues the days, weeks, months, and years after all friends and loved ones return to their own lives. The repetition of “I wondered. I wondered what will it be like?” is very effective. A Fav poem for me. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 25 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 26 has already started. Only 1 mile to go before the Qualifiers’ Final Placement contest!
Banerjee Avatar
November 1, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Thank you, Mark! Your kind words mean so much :)
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace