Read Poem: Where the Tears Go, by J Hirtle

Ten thousand days

Bounteous moments forever faded

Since he first enlightened this lyricist

Guiding my vestal quill.

Through undiscovered lands

With the poise of Gandalf

Proffering measured response to arouse one more query.

The old man stands bent at the waist

The autumn of his life declared by the deep lines upon his face.

His hands unable to conceal a never-ending tremble.

To my youth-filled gaze, he has always seemed ancient

Silver hair with amber tips

Bespectacled eyes behind thick glass

A wooden cane forever choked by his knotted grip.

The morning sun greets our kinship

As I guide him to our old park bench

Quietly we share the new dawn.

I speak first

As oft I do,

Nay, as I always have

I pose my question,

“Where do the tears go when they depart my eyes?”

I undertake more-

“Overpowered by emotions

I cannot disguise

The liquid crystal falls