Don't Cry

Who hears the fishes when they cry? - Thoreau

Don't cry.

Don't cry for me.

Rather, cry for that which will never be.

For those drinking tonight alone.

Sitting and waiting naked with their smartphone.

Cry for the black clouds and swirling winds.

For all that which is dizzy and spins.

Cry for emptiness and pain.

Weep your own cascading rain.

For betrayal and lies.

And truth's seed that flies.

For that which will be tossed and lost.

At a steep cost.

Save your tears.

Save your tears because you'll need them.

Save your tears for the height of the sky and the depths of the sea.

But don't cry.

Don't cry for me.

Cry for the stars that have lost their shine.

For bitter water that will never turn to wine.

And all the lost years that can't tell time.

Cry for the whisper that wants to be a scream.

For the nightmare and not the dream.

Cry for the tide as it draws out.

Cry for eternity as it runs a long race.

For the shadows and all that which blocks the sun.

Cry for the tired fingers of despair.

And the lost birds of the air.

Pray for the rats on a sinking ship.

After all, they only boarded for an innocent, free trip.

Please.

Please don't cry.

Don't bother.

I'm not your godfather.

Don't cry.

Don't even cry for Argentina.

Instead, get down upon your knees and hold a candlelight novena.

No.

No, don't ask why.

Don't cry.

Don't cry if I die.

It's just another lie.

Cry instead for tomorrow.

For the far-off drumming.

And the base guitar strumming.

Just get ready.

Get ready for the bombs dropping and airplanes humming.

Get ready because ...

... your day is coming ...

Author's Note

“Most men cry better than they speak. You get more nurture out of them by pinching than addressing them.” - Thoreau

Reviews

[emmajoy]

' Cry for the stars that have lost their shine. - For bitter water that will never turn to wine. - And all the lost years that can't tell time. - Cry for the whisper that wants to be a scream.

So many MEN and WOMEN will read this poem - tear up, sigh. tremble and/or will know it's not make-believe, Pete. For whatever reason, there are thousands.. we feel this pain, bewilderment, its scars, its power, its hopelessness. We can only learn by searching the pain we ourselves feel and empathize whenever we can, if allowed.

Superb writing, full of emotion; plus great song and display. It's more than..

' .. Cry instead for tomorrow. - For the far-off drumming. - And the base guitar strumming. - Just get ready. - Get ready for the bombs dropping and airplanes humming. - Get ready because ...'

We can's top people from crying for us.. we have to see it as a final gift..

[Pete]

there's really nothing more i can say - i'm at a loss for words right now. thank you for sharing truth - ugly as it may be. we all have our sorrows now don't we? at least we have love and tonight's sunset not to mention the seagulls flying by the shore hoping for evermore. you're right - sharing empathy with tears is a gift. blessings em, for eternity ... :)

[emmajoy]

sometimes OUR own feelings are so many and strong, we need pray they say something meaningful to another person.. don't know, can only hope.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

People will not cry for themselves until it's too late. There are too many distractions … smartphones (of which you speak), reality TV, Instagram, Twitter, muck for "music," etc. Pointing fingers in all directions for blame when the blame belongs on the people themselves. One cannot abdicate his throne, and then cry when he's lost his crown.

[Pete]

what you say is all true. blame is something that gets shifted often. good reminder you provide - we can pass the buck but it stops with us. feels better to blame others - we don't want the guilt weighing us down. takes courage and inner strength to own up. great thoughts you share - thanks ... :)

[Rhayne]

In a word----AWESOME----the Poem, the music, excerpts and even the avatar, love it all!

[Pete]

thank you kindly for sharing Rhayne. glad you could feel it. your thoughts and time are well appreciated ... :)

[barleygirl]

I'm reeling in pleasure . . . love Bad Co, love that song . . . your poem is one of many of yours that I relate to so strongly. I do not care for all the crying upon death & I also do not want people to give two peanuts about me dying. Any time from here on out, I'm happy with the life I've lived! There's so much more out there to mourn, for sure. Your vivid imagery paints powerful suggestions of all the ills around the planet . . . you can't even name them all becuz it's mind-numbing & the reader's eyes would glaze over. Using artful symbols is the way to go, when addressing the ills of life. It's too painful to enumerate all the s**t & people shut down. The verse that starts with: "Cry for the stars that have lost their shine" -- this is some brilliant imagery, one after another, after another! Each metaphor pops in the readers mind, leaving the details wide open to interpretation. This is so powerful & intricate in so many ways (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

!!!!! i wish i possessed your outlook. my problem is that i care too much. i'm too emotional and that gets tiring and leads to all kinds of problems. there is always an untidiness with idealists. that's why i wish i could be like that seagull in the song - it flies fly no matter and if it gets shot down, oh well whatever, nobody asks it where it's going or where it's from and is it really the end of the world?" we are what we are and things are what they are no matter. thanks Margie for sharing your carefree, high-flying, winged view of life... :)

[barleygirl]

Damn you! Now I want to listen to that song with a mind to capture a poem possibly . . .

[Pete]

Lol ... :)