13 Comments
User's avatar
Graciewilde's avatar

Geesh! Both chills and tears here.

"Imagine yourself

as a photograph on a mantle,

a smile trapped behind glass,

a rumor still wearing your shoes,

a sweatshirt folded in the back of a drawer

because grief has no idea

what to do with its hands

except hold on

to the shape you used to make in cotton."

What a remarkable and arresting collection of words. I'm going to have to print this one out and read it a few more times. Thank you for posting it, Switter.

Switter’s World's avatar

It does what art is supposed to do: it shakes us back to living again.

Also, remember what I said about how I like to make the girls cry. Maybe I should repost an old thing I wrote about Georgie, Porgie, Pudding and Pie.

Sharon Hudson's avatar

No more “Here, Kitty Kitty!” The world will know I exist! I will make myself seen and heard! I love the way you spill out your soul!! Thank you, Switter… I will embrace your words in this, the year I am 75. 🤩

just mud by Ron's avatar

I need to readjust ny sail; thanks Switter and Matt.

Megan Youngmee's avatar

Absolutely powerful words

Switter’s World's avatar

Absolutely on the nose. What a gift.

Jacqueline's avatar

As someone in the throes of grief, thank you especially for this -

“Grief has no idea what to do with its hands except hold on.”

Poignant and true.

Switter’s World's avatar

It’s why we write from the heart, isn’t it, so that we aren’t alone in our grief.

just mud by Ron's avatar

I need to readjust ny sail; thanks Switter and Matt.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Wow. Words like these could never not be the right ones to read, any time. Well done, Matt, and thank you for sharing this, Switter.

Sharron Bassano's avatar

What a moving piece, Switter. Thank you for sharing it. I am sending it out to three people who are on the cusp of exiting this plane of existence. I found this line especially relevant

"because grief has no idea

what to do with its hands

except hold on.."

Sue Cauhape's avatar

O.M.G. Switter. I'm copying this to reread it whenever I'm pissed off about whatever's pissing me off. What a gem. Thank you Switter and Matt Moberg for this manifesto.