Michelle DiSarno

Michelle DiSarno was born and raised in New Jersey and has been a high school English teacher for the past 17 years. On the side, she is a family photographer who occasionally blogs at surprisedbyjoyphoto.com. Through writing, she likes to explore some of life's most profound tensions: delight & longing, grief & grace, joy & sorrow, faith & doubt. She is passionate about seeing and sharing beauty. She is a frequent participant in The Platform open mic events, and her poetry has previously been featured in Fathom Magazine. Most days, she’d rather be hiking.

The Laws of Mourning

Only after

the covering

of mirrors 

does the soul 

of the departed

return  

to the place it lived

to mourn 

with us (or for us?) 

The spirit does not want to see the skin

it’s leaving.  

We do not want to look upon

death in our faces.

Between the passing and burial

is suspension 

of music of words

of marital union. 

For this is separation: 

flesh from family,

body from house.

The room must be prepared;

We need a shape for this. 

Candles are carried

and we sit low 

as consolation comes

with casseroles. 

After 7 days the soul is ready

to go. 

After 30 

I can get a haircut,

buy some new clothes.