Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THESE ARE NOT TEARS, by BETTY HESSLER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THESE ARE NOT TEARS, by                    
First Line: She groped in the coiled labyrinths of her mind
Last Line: "these are not tears."
Subject(s): Tears


She groped in the coiled labyrinths of her mind,
Starched stiff from duties and extended toil,
Seeking proper reason for her tears,
Only to cry, "Here is my heart,"
With panic running to her fingertips,
She mused on this animal prowling thus,
To seek out the mysterious coffin of her heart
And tear off the lid, releasing the throbs
Pulsating two ways, laughter and tears,
Hating the agony of labor and all it entails.
To run, to dance, to laugh was her will,
For she loved free patterns of delight
Instead of stifled tears that tiptoed
Down labor-taut cheeks drawn bloodless and cold,
To leave their saltiness on muttering lips,
"These are not tears."





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