tears

Tears. The kind that drip down gradually and with purpose. When you’re too ashamed to cry, but can’t stop. The kind that are salty and burn your tongue. They ooze out slowly as you try to fight them back. They swell up on the bottom of your eye until the dam is broken.

Find their way to the tongue where burn sickly sweet. The kind that stain your face. Make little trails down your cheeks. The kind that when you wipe away make your hands sticky and damp. Too thick to hide.

You can tell they’ve been shed an hour after. They sting. Inside and out. They leave the skin puffy and red. If you’re not careful, they are going to keep welling.

If you distracted yourself, think about something else, maybe they would cease. You can’t think of anything else. The emotion behind them is too strong.

Like a hose that drips after the water has been shut off. They leave the eyes cracked and red. They fill the tired sacks under the eyes with black baggage. They’re relentless.

At times forgiving. Healing the pain away. Like a salve for the soul. The kind that long for a lover. To make them stop. To make everything alright. To not be afraid to share. The kind that break lover’s hearts

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Good Morning Ranger,
Oh gosh tears... I think you may have said all that there is to say bout tears and I did enjoy the read.
I have shed my share of tears and for me they just come with no way for me to stop them.
I really liked your line
"You can tell they’ve been shed an hour after. They sting. Inside and out. They leave the skin puffy and red. If you’re not careful, they are going to keep welling."
And, your last two line " At times forgiving. Healing the pain away. Like a salve for the soul. The kind that long for a lover. To make them stop. To make everything alright. To not be afraid to share. The kind that break lover’s hearts."
I reread your poem / thoughts several times... Thinking back to the last time I cried...My reasons for crying are so varied and have changed over the years.
Really enjoyed the read first thing this morning...
Lisa, not even 7am yet here in Spain

[Ranger Kessel]

Thank you for the kind words

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome Ranger,
Lisa, up and having coffee in Spain

[Coyote Poetry]

I have become so cold my friend. Wasn't for grandchildren. I would escape to no-where. I loved this poem. All of us fall down and sometimes. We don't want to get-up.
"You can tell they’ve been shed an hour after. They sting. Inside and out. They leave the skin puffy and red. If you’re not careful, they are going to keep welling."
I understand the above lines. Tonight I write drunk man poetry. Maybe in the end. We become Hemingway or Bukowski? Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Ranger Kessel]

Thank you for the kind words

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my kind friend.

[CD Campbell]

This reminds me of those tears that fall after holding back your emotions for years. I didn't mean for that to rhyme. The burning and the puffiness. The stickiness and the stinging. I hate them. The inevitable loss of respect when seen. The ulcer you get when you hold them back for decades. You paint a thorough picture. A very good write. CD

[Ranger Kessel]

Thanks for the kind words

[Robert Haigh]

There are many kinds of tears, and we are bound to shed some of them during our lifetime. The kind of tears you speak of here are the ones that come with deep and prolonged sorrow. Sadly, often a part of the human condition. A good cry can do you good, they say. Maybe sometimes that is what we need, and is what we have to endure, for a time. Interesting write.

[Ranger Kessel]

Thanks for the review

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Ranger. The last time I witnessed this prolonged and painful crying was when my granddaughter who lives with us was dumped by her first love. I can tell you, I also felt the pain of every tear she shed. She was heartbroken and I wasn't far behind her. Thank you fir your share.

Chris

[Ranger Kessel]

Thank you for a nice review