"Eyes Without a Face" by Digital Collage Artist Robin Isely
How many times can a heart break?
We start out small,
cry loudly when things hurt
but, all too soon,
we learn to hide our pain away.
"We'll deal with it
another day."
We stuff it down,
stay so strong.
"Resilience," we bravely say.
"Gotta keep Moving On."
Here's a tip from Wild Woman
nearing the end of life's trail:
old age softens us,
makes us frail.
This woman, once so strong,
cries over everything
now.
A big black wolf
who loved me
taught me how.
It's true. I always had to be strong, as a single mother of four. As a child of alcoholics I learned early to numb my feelings and not express them. When Pup died, a river of tears started leaking out. Nine years later, tears still come so easily.
It takes a certain strength to be soft. I love that the big black wolf taught you to let go of the tears Sherry. Your struggles and hurt growing up have made you a wise and lovely poet indeed! 🌹🦋
ReplyDeleteAh, the beauty of age - and there's strength in them tears. Nice one, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteSuch a touching poem Sherry - your words are strong as is your story..crying can be cathartic nothing to be ashamed of..it proves your big heart
ReplyDeleteA good poem against the idea that there's only one way to be "strong." Tears are sometimes necessary.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how we teach children not to cry, that it somehow shows strength to hide those emotions, but there is power in tears and a cathartic release. Sometimes you need a good cry.
ReplyDeleteSherry, your poem touched on so many emotions. The having to be strong, hit especially hard. Now in my late 70s, it feels right to let a lot of that emotion out! Thank you.
ReplyDelete"A big black wolf
ReplyDeletewho loved me
taught me how" -- powerful.
I wonder too... maybe we pile up the sorrows during a lifetime, and what life is really is all about is learning to cope
ReplyDeleteAll my life I've heard "you're so strong". Now, in my later years, I'm forgetting how to be strong and feeling rather vulnerable. I need a wolf lesson!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and filled with the wisdom that comes with age. I cry all the time as I tend to be a weeping willow.
ReplyDeleteI love the lesson of the wolf...
So great to read your poems again Sherry. I have been off the grid for quite some time now. But returning to your work makes me feel warm and mushy. Keep writing, keep inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI feel you. Sundance taught me everything I know.
ReplyDeleteO, we all learn eventually. Yours was a loving way, and the tears are a gift. Mortality is a stark fact, but I don't despair of it. I LOVE this poem.
ReplyDeleteSherry, even strong women cry. This is an honest poem full of feeling.
ReplyDeleteJust lovely, Rosemary, but sooo sad. It may be age or coercion or what, I don't know why we learn to suppress the tears, except "big boys don't cry".
ReplyDeleteI talked this morning with a fellow who had tears in his eyes, his wife had taken a very serious health setback. I think talking and an offer of help made things better for him for a few minutes respite.
Nice, interesting write, Sherry.
..
it is strong to cry, really. a big black wolf taught you that.
ReplyDeleteWe do become softer, more sentimental. Old hurts still cause pain.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother raised me. She was the strongest of women. Made fun of me because I'd cry at the drop of a hat. I've never changed. Old age has made me less embarrassed about it though and I cry openly whenever I hurt or see pain in others.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true that the older we get the easier we break. Sad.
ReplyDelete