Crying at breakfast (2023)

Eyes shining like a marble

And a surprising turn of a smile

My favorite part was the way that they would let the tears run down their cheeks

They would hang and then slowly drip

I remember thinking, “I wonder if they will wipe them?”

And then being pleasantly surprised as they pooled together and persisted  

On their last leg, they could cling no more

Unashamed

Shining cheeks and eyes, calling out

It was like a mirror and it was so refreshing to be on this side

Ante up, join the hand

Each tear and smile like a typewriter, spelling my name, inviting me in

How rarely do we open ourselves up to be known?

I used to think we were this way because we had waded through a tragedy together

But I don’t think that anymore

I think the loss just gave us permission, like a signal that only we could hear

A signal that said, “don’t waste time lying any more” and a belief that meant we had to speak out loud the contradictions, all of them

Our cheeks glistened, calling out for justice

The edges of our grin looked up for mercy’s promise

And our hearts were glad to not be alone