Breath & Shadow
Winter 2021 - Vol. 18, Issue 1
"Blade of Grief"
written by
Annette Gagliardi
The sword of sorrow
has pierced me through.
Its aim was pure,
the arrow true,
I am so weary
as I gaze at you
knowing our time together
is almost through.
This sorrow’s edge-
a blade most strong
will wait for no one,
yet remains so long.
It holds me close
not letting go,
gives a daily dose
of grief’s marrow.
The razor’s blade
slices me well,
leaves me cold
just where I fell.
Its steel is honed
to a fine degree
and it will be
the end of me.
Annette is a Minneapolis based poet and president of the Mississippi Valley Poets, a chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets. She is an eclectic writer, hosting an author website and posts weekly, writing children’s books, novels and poetry. Coping with IBS and life-long depression, she continues to push herself to grow with creative challenges in order to live in the moment and explore the profundities of life among people.3