You will cry
and when tears fall
do not interrupt.
Let them clean house
sloughing mire
from your spirit.
Let them tell your stories
in whatever tone they want
for however long
speak without censor
be rude and unruly
act out monologues
you've been rehearsing
in your mind for years
quote you in liquefied code
in ways your mouth
can't find words for.
Whether the time of day
is convenient
or the space you're in
feels safe enough
to be vulnerable
you will cry
not of your own volition
but because tears
can only take so much neglect
will only wait so long
for you
to acknowledge them.
Give them license
to be misfits
let them tantrum-splatter
stigma
secrets
and woe
all up 'n' thru
grocery stores
knocking down bottles and jars
puncturing packages
clean-up on every aisle
barrel through restaurants
smashing plates
flipping tables
be runaway slaves
at the gym
stealthily escaping
among sweat
stampeding from your brow
be handy assistants
at the post office
sealing envelopes
with the slick of your sorrow.
Let them be chaos
in these streets
explode like firecrackers
across concrete
scream obscenities
rage against Inner-War You
horrify onlookers
as they bungee jump
from your cheeks
land with fury
like Godzilla's stomp
causing public uproar
same intensity
as the one inside them
battering their chakras.
Do not shame yourself
hide your facial wreckage
or let people
exasperated with their
emotional barrenness
convince you that
your tears are
ghastly
unnecessary
let them witness
the storm fleeing your body
purifying your soul
let them marvel
take notes
learn how to navigate
tempestuous salty rivers
teach them how to sail
through crisis
remind them that
crying
is the natural order of things
because
all human life
begins with tears
at birth.
It is not a punk move
it's checkmate.
Show them they can cry
should cry
now
lock eyes with them
hold strong
don't blink
let tears flood your rims
feel them quake pre-descent
deep breath in
through nose
let the muscles
in that lump in your throat
relax
delicate exhale
through lips
nod gently at your student
as if to say
"It's time,"
and like green light
signal them to wail
louder than the hellion
voices in their head
aggressively
for optimal toxin release
proudly
like they know
they finally squared up
with their gaslighting demons
invite them to accompany you
in overdue riddance
of internal grotesque.
Tell them
to tell a friend
to join the movement
each one teach one
cuz cry
is first responder
urgent care
purge
self-preservation
gift
mental health restored
fresh start
it is
revolution
evolution
punctuation.
You will
prepared or not
lose control
and cry
for love
apology
grief
lack of justice
relief
for the life you want
the one you had
for delayed prayers
wisdom and answers
to excavate hate
accept whys
say good-bye
to reclaim peace.
©2024 Charlene E. Green
