WRAPPED IN GRIEF AND RELIEF by Nancy Julien Kopp

WRAPPED IN GRIEF AND RELIEF by Nancy Julien Kopp

The new story of my life began

when my father died leaving me

wrapped in both grief and relief.

Grief that a father who loved

me deeply had disappeared

like early morning fog,

softly, silently.

Relief that never again would I

suffer his verbal abuse,

his emotional blackmail,

his ranting hatred of those

different from himself.

Grief let me dwell on the love.

Relief made my heart swell

with deepening gratitude.

Nancy Julien Kopp lives and writes in the Flint Hills of Kansas. She has been published in 24 Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, many other anthologies, ezines and magazines. Her writing includes poetry, fiction for children, creative nonfiction, short memoir, and articles on the craft of writing. Her blog offers tips and encouragement to writers at www.writergrannysworld.blogspot.com