Cracked

Something vast surfaced
and took everything in one pull.

I stood there.
Not brave, not ready.
Just standing.

The sky split itself open
the way wounds do,
sudden and without apology.

Sunlight came through like it had somewhere to be
and I was just the obstacle.

Frost on the glass.
Bird on the rail outside.
Song I didn't ask for, didn't deserve,
and got anyway.

Breath in my body still.
World still vast.
Me still a small thing
pressed against the size of it.

The light hit my eyes and I let it.
I didn't look away.
That's the whole story.
I didn't look away.

Something overflowed.
Not grief this time.
Not only grief.

I stood in it
the way you stand in rain
when running would cost more
than getting wet.

--Vera