I have only recently become acquainted with Heid E. Erdrich’s work after hearing about her and following her online. But now that I have finally actually read her – I’m hooked. I love her voice, and perspective, and rhythm.

This poem seemed too poignant for this time. If we’re not in a moment of public grief now, I don’t know what else it would be called.

Public Grief

By Heid E. Erdrich

This is not my grief

but a small hole           lightless

penetrating the globe of family

so now all stands still

ringed by light snow

ringed by bright lights

This is not my grief

but a lightless hole through the human globe

surrounded by cameras yammering

brilliant stills and stunned silence grown         so loud

it weighs down the flowers

daisies             carnations        lilies     mums

all the flowers ever

left in memorial along with

all the letters and petitions

and again the promise of never

This is not my grief

but a small hole                      lightless

penetrating the light show

the weight of all-the-ever flowers

cameras and microphones

speechless       unspeakable     there are no words

but words and words and words

This is not my grief

but a black and white vortex               a crush

that collapses   sucks in           swallows whole

This is not my grief                 but

a terrible          a particular

a small hole                             deep beyond belief

deeper                                      deep enough

to own its depth

to be depth alone