Torment

just as it happens

the tears track down her cheeks,

welling up in her eyes, tear follows tear

no specific reason or thought

just an overwhelming sense of sadness

 

like grief not yet suffered or pain not yet felt

the tears come in advance like warriors

preparing to fight the fears

standing to protect the wounded

 

or perhaps they are tears unused

grief unfelt, pain unbourne

perhaps such happiness and ease in life

requires some tears of gratitude?

 

she doesn't know, they feel like pain

they feel sad and overwhelming

they cleanse her fears,

wash away her pain and sadness

 

maybe there is truth in the words

tears are emotions you can't hold in

being strong is fine, crying is strenghtening

crying alone is unwanted.

Author's Note

i'm not sure what this is (shrugs)

Reviews

[Bear]

this is an amazing exploration; questioning; philosophical search..... so many emotions held within; that must be released, and did you ever find a way to express the thoughts within!!!! I can't tell you how many times I've been driving along, listening to the radio or a CD when the tears start to flow... I don't know WHY, and I don't think it matters why... one just has to go with the flow and let the emotions flow out.

Perhaps after "composing one's self again" the answers to the WHY will come to light? Crying alone? That's usually the only way I do cry... well, I suppose there have been times when in the company of a good friend or family member I'll let things flow in trust. Perhaps you don't "have to know what this is"? Just have to know it came from within and I for one think it is a fine collection of thoughts!!
Thanks for sharing!! Very good and touching piece. Sallie Bear

[Bear]

this is an explanation of the questions that have entered my mind now and then when I find myself crying while watching an old film, listening to a song on the car radio or CD player... those times when you start to cry "for what you think is no reason" but, then there must be a reason, shouldn't there be? ;~) We cry when happy, sad beyond belief, cry about the loss of family, friends (in various forms be it two legged or four or perhaps none at all)... This a is fine poem Mel and the thoughts released upon the page no doubt assisted you and sure assisted me in the understanding of what lies within. Sallie Bear

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I think this is terriffic. You have a typo in the next to last line "strengthening". Tears can help clean the soul from the inside out. There is the same salt content in a human tear as there is in a drop of ocean water. Perhaps that is why we find the rolling, crashing surf so comforting; its like the tears of the earth rolling down her sandy cheeks. Great stuff here!

[Michael]

I like it. Reminds me of times that I have felt this way, when to find out moments later that a good friend of mine had died half way across the country.

[Michael X]

this is melancholy, and beautifully done, in way of descriptive focus, your thoughts flow straight
to the readers heart, i find the title to be intriguing in relationship to the context and that being
the defining chaptering of what tears mean, as tears are the body's pinncile reaction to emotion,
when in the moment, and torment is the lingering effect of negativity so perhaps its a way of
subconsiously releasing negative emoions, in reflection of the poem, excellent writing.

[Albert Freeman]

Beautiful, haunting and sad poem. There is a deep and lingering pain behind such words. I won't let you cry alone. xxx