MOURNING IS A HOLY SOUND
Rohini and her son at home in Tennessee. Photo by Elaine Siemek.
Rohini Mauk is a bridge between realms, grieving the loss of her daughter, Alinah, while simultaneously growing new life within her. An impossible duality, some might say, yet she embodies it with such grace. The void is where all life begins and ends.
Photos taken at her home in Tennessee by Elaine Siemek.
What an excruciating blessing
This sudden death
Down I go
Ridden of all that became of me
This hollowness feels good, for now
Down, down to the marrow I go
I prayed for this crucifixion
Whose form I cannot choose
Let all that is in the way be burned to the ground
Let the path open for me
Dear God,
Let the path open
Electrocuted by grace
I am brought to my knees
My God,
How do I describe the goodness in this world?
I am at the mercy of this fortune
Oh life, crack me open entirely
Shape me, mold me, love me
Until I wholeheartedly absorb your generosity into my blood
May all that is birthed from us be filled with this goodness,
Until one day,
it is all that remains
“Marrow” and “A Prayer,” from Rohini’s poetry book, Excruciating Bliss.
