Tears Never Wept
by Odin Roark

Like a lonely child
Straddling a playground seesaw
Sentiment's sorrow
Fear's discovery

How bold we carry our heartache
Anchored deep in learned
Teeter-totter discipline
Allowing our eyes to close
But never to weep

Tomorrow we will make anew
This resolve to suck it up
Absolving the pain
Forgiving the cause

When still...

The night will come
Our eyes will remain open ‘til dawn
Hoping to see a someone
A something to counter
Life's fulcrum of imbalance

A phone will ring
A doorbell will sound
A hand wave will appear in the distance
Certainly it will happen

But

Beneath heavy tear ducts
Passion's gamble seems doubtful
Life's playground might fill again
Unlikely offering a smile
To sit atop the other end

If only

Children of all ages
Knew simple happiness
Takes but willing effort
Presented with a smile opposite hope
Experience ups and downs together
Releasing tears of sadness and joy

Together