Writing Prompts or Shuttles can be a powerful way to let your grief come through in a free and undiluted form. It can be a form of micro-ritual.
Francis Weller highly recommends that you write for a set amount of time- 5, 7, or 10 minutes, for example.
Using a shuttle gives you a way to begin the writing session. It is suggested you keep your hand moving, writing whatever comes up with no thinking or editing. When the timer stops pick up your pen and read your piece aloud.
You could also do this as a singing prompt, just recording on your phone or other device, singing outloud without premeditating the words.
1st gate:
I mourn…
Now that you are gone…
Without you…
Goodbye…
2nd gate:
I lost….
I will not pretend…
It’s okay to say…or not okay to say…
Welcome back…
3rd gate:
I carry…
I am so sorry…
My tears are for…
I mourn…
4th gate:
I did not get to…OR I never got to…
I wish…
I wanted…
I lost…
5th gate:
Don’t leave me…
I am alone…
I miss…
6th gate:
I harmed…
I am so sorry…
I benefited from…
I want to acknowledge…
Other Invitations:
I remember…
I long…
I forgive…
I regret…
I can’t feel….
I carry…
No more…
It is not ok to say….