Compassion and condolence
Travel hand in hand with grief
To ease the pain and sorrow
And grant some small relief

Sympathy and empathy
Undermine our frail defences
Hurt and anguish once released
Can overwhelm our senses

Let the teardrops gently flow
There is no shame in sorrow
The tribute that they pay
Will be no less tomorrow

Each tear contains a memory
Each sob a sad farewell
Each heartache is an accolade
Much more than words can tell

And if we seek composure
Or turn away and hide
The grief does not diminish
The heart still breaks inside