Poetry by Michelle Kinder
Beneath a deep, felt sense of joy and peace
runs a river of grief.
Hollowed out places in the heart, still raw
from a parade of loses.
A generous river – giving life to outsized capacity
for joy and for gratitude and for courage.
The opposite of something missing.
Bearing the fruit of texture, humor and
a life lived in memory of and in service of others.
A technicolor ‘awake’– tentatively, and then boldly, embodied
in the letting go of too many, too early.
A hunger for contribution fueled by beloveds
snatched from earth before they could do all
you imagined they were here to do.
An ease with the passing of time, with aging,
that only comes from intimacy with the alternative.
The generous river of grief that takes so much
and kindly leaves even more behind.
About the Poet
Michelle Kinder is a nationally-recognized speaker and consults with leaders and organizations invested in social change. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has articles featured in TIME, Washington Post and Huffington Post. She grew up in Guatemala and lives in Dallas with her husband, Patrick, and their daughters, Maya and Sophia.
For the first time in nearly five years, Vita Brevis is closed for submission. Read the full story here.
Vita Brevis Press. 
This is so poignant and beautiful. Rivers carry so much as they wind through our minds. Lovely poetry Michelle 😊
Thank you so very much Walt! Truly appreciate this kind comment. And totally agree about rivers.
You’re very welcome Michelle 😊
Beautiful, Michelle, and so true
Thank you Katy! So nice of you to comment!
Really beautiful, Michelle.
Thank you so very much Dorinda – I’m so pleased you liked it!
Yes, I truly did. Thank you for sharing 🙂
captures life’s uneven flows in ways unthought yet births a wonderful collage of life seen and unseen
looking forward to your pen flowing with new ink : )
Thank you so much Andy 🙂
The richness and complexity of a river beautifully expressed.
Thanks for the kind words Mark!
You’re welcome.