When We Cry
When we cry,
Where do the tears come from?
Yes, Yes, I know.
They come from the eyes.
But what secret reservoir
Of sadness or grief
Or unbridled happiness
Lie behind the eyes
To store up drops
And then let loose such a torrent
When occasion deems it right or proper
Or we simply cannot help ourselves?
Do we store up pools of sadness
That slowly fills, unnoticed,
Behind a dam
Then over-tops and bursts forth
When sadness overwhelms the heart
Demanding some release?
Are there lakes of grief
For departed friends,
Or relatives or lovers,
Each one a tributary flowing down
To add their share of pain
To the growing, watery burden?
And what of tears of joy
Which can only find expression
That flows from an ocean
Of pent-up anticipation
Held in check, awaiting a time
When hopes and dreams are fulfilled?
There must be some secret place
Behind the eyes
Where all such raw emotions
Lie hidden, awaiting their turn
To trace runnels down our cheeks
And give relief to our emotions.
That must be
Where tears truly come from.