-- MIRROR POEMS --

A SAD CRY

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JOHN HERLIHY

There is nothing sadder than a sad cry,

Emotions so deep we dare not ask why.

Sad children often cry as if this is the end,

With no inhibitions, they need not pretend.

Not so for brave men who tend not to cry,

Unmanly it seems, instead they utter a sigh.

They hold in all the heavy sadness and remorse,

As waters behind a dam, with incredible force.

Women overcome with sorrow open the taps,

Tears flow freely as sadness on the heart raps.

Now, in my old age, I cry at every little thing,

Movies, books, the tears that goodbyes bring.

Yet, a sad cry can cleanse in a kind of purge,

We feel uplifted, when feelings of joy emerge.

A HAPPY CRY

__________________________

JOHN HERLIHY

There is nothing happier than a happy cry,

Emotions so deep we dare not ask why.

At weddings, graduations, whenever we win,

Happy tears emerge when our heads spin.

Young children rare cry when they are happy,

They just giggle and coo in their fresh nappy.

Not so for all brave men who never do cry,

In feeling great joy, they utter a contented sigh.

Women overcome with happiness open the taps,

Tears flow freely as happiness on the heart raps.

Now, in my old age, I cry whether happy or sad,

All emotional tears meaningful and not just a fad.

Still, a happy cry on the heart can work wonders,

Filling the empty void that a sad cry only plunders.

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(c) John Herlihy 21 January 2020