Not just in age, but in grief too,
And she's learning in her struggle that
People don't know how to respond to her.
"I know they see me," said the recent
Widow, "But they pretend they
Don't. It's like I'm invisible. Even
Relatives don't acknowledge my
Husband's death. It really hurts."
I know what she means.
I've experienced it too.
Most people mean well, but
They're just ignorant.
They're afraid of dredging up
Sad memories,
Of making the mourner cry,
As though that's a bad thing.
They're uncomfortable, and
Since they don't know what to say,
They remain silent.
If only they knew that it's better to
Say the wrong thing than
Nothing at all.