121Grief is deceptive. It makes you think you are okay, and then it suddenly appears, out of nowhere and completely engulfs you.


Grief is two-faced. At times it allows you to happily reminisce, at others it immerses you in bittersweet memories and torments you, constantly whispering in your ear. “You will never see her again”, it says.

Grief is cruel. It sadistically places a black veil over your life, darkening all experiences.

Grief is relentless. It is there, lurking in the corner of the room you are in. You may busy yourself to ignore its presence, but it is always there, watching you.

Grief is condescending. It looks down on you and all of your past transgression and fills you with remorse.

Grief is isolating. It creates a pain that consumes you, so that the pain of others isn’t as important as it should be.

Grief is resilient. It doesn’t matter how hard you try to fight it, it does not go away.

Grief is mean. It robs you of happiness and fills you with emptiness.

Grief is merciless. It inflicts pain on innocent, good people.  It does not heed anguish-laden calls to go away.

Grief is rude. It outstays its welcome. It bursts through the door unannounced and lingers until the very end.

Grief is remorseless. It feels nothing and cares not for the people it steamrolls over.

Grief is cowardly. It never confronts you, but attacks you from behind.

Grief is cunning. It strategically plans how to inflict maximum damage when you least expect it.  It is the army of 1,000 gun-wielding maniacs that surrounds you and forces you to surrender.

Grief is conscienceless. It kicks you while you are down. It strikes after heartache and rubs salt into gaping wounds.

Grief is tyrannical. It cares not for your thoughts or feelings, but overpowers and overrules you.  It has absolute authority over every atom of your being.

Grief is greedy. It has an insatiable appetite for pain.  It infiltrates your entire body, saturating your cells and running through your veins.

Grief is impatient. It does not wait for shock to subside, but exposes its venom-laced fangs and strikes immediately.

Grief is inconsiderate. It is apathetic towards other circumstances in your life and overtakes you without a care for your other commitments.

Grief is indecisive. It can’t decide whether to stay or go, filling you with insecurity and anxiety.

Grief is indiscreet. It overrides your ability to smile and pretend that you are okay. It robs you of your ability to have a smile that reaches your eyes.

Grief is interfering. It listens into your conversations and interrupts mid-sentence.

Grief is jealous. It sabotages and suffocates happiness.

Grief is possessive. It monopolises your time, energy and emotions.

Grief is patronising. It makes you realise how insignificant and powerless you are.

Grief, I don’t like you. Please go away.