Melancholy

Melancholy, I recognize you. 

You creep in before a goodbye.

You blanket each day, adding more weight every hour counting down to the Going.

I know you now, after saying goodbye to three children 

and a last kiss to my dad.

This week I won't take on big jobs.

Or exercise too hard or too long--

accept that my emotional highs and lows are workout enough.

I've learned  during these hurts to be gentle with myself.

And that Melancholy ebbs as quietly as it arrives.

And we'll say hello again.