tears fall

She cries as I look on helplessly.
I'm not sure what to do.
What should I say to make things better?
She thanks me for my help.

I don't cry in front of others.
My tears have always been hidden.
Taught at an early age to keep it inside.

I think that if I cry in front of others
I'm being selfish and immature.
But if others cry they are being vulnerable.
Where did this double standard come from?

Just once I cried on his shoulder
As my world disintegrated.
I loved him for comforting me,
But I'm ashamed he had to.

I'm the shoulder to cry on,
The sympathetic ear.
While my own tears go unheard
Except by the universe.
-srw

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