Grief has taught me a brutal lesson about presence

it revealed who is willing to sit with my pain, when

my world fell apart, when I had nothing left to give

but my brokenness, as it was not the crowd that

comforted me, but the few who stayed, the ones

who did not flinch at the sight of my tears, and that

kind of presence held space for my sorrow, held me

Not out of bitterness, but clarity, I remember the ones

who disappeared when I unravelled, who offered

hollow platitudes but never their presence, while

I choked on my suffering, who changed the subject

when I spoke of my loss, who treated my grief like a

contagious disease, quarantining themselves from

my ache, their absence was emotional abandonment

As I began to rise, slowly, unsteadily, and now, suddenly

you remember my name, so no, you do not get to share

the life I built from ashes you never helped me carry

to those people, I say this gently but firmly, the seats

at my table are reserved, and you forfeited your place

on it, this celebration is not yours to join, because I will

not waste my hard-won light illuminating your regret

My guest list belong to those who fought beside me

in the trenches, who showed up with shovels when I

was buried alive, who understood love is not seasonal

you know who you are, your name is engraved on every

victory, this joy? It is ours, so come dance with me on this

mountaintop, the view from here is glorious, the rest?

Your absence was your choice, now, your presence is mine