How to Never Stop Being Sad

immortalize the grief wherever you can.

scribble in old journals, carve into the

soft wood of your bed frame, trace in

the fog on the bathroom mirror. convince

yourself that the ache is the only thing left. do not let it leave you.

keep the lights off. don’t open the

windows or empty the trash or sweep

the floor or make the bed or let fresh air

in. let the sadness feel at home at

your own expense.

burn the sympathy cards and ignore

everyone’s calls. leave the casseroles

on the front porch and let them rot.

wake up early and leave voicemails

to the only two numbers you have memorized yet don’t belong to

anyone anymore. throw your phone

until it breaks. you don’t need it

anyway.

blame yourself, there’s no reason not to.

destroy every poem you’ve ever written.

they never meant shit.