The tears of women
fall against the soft earth
as their feet
hardened by walking many paths
cross the stony earth to graveside

The tears of women are shed
for all the men who are taught
that tears are a sign of weakness
inferiority
Yet those same men
hold these women close
and treasure them

keeping all things in balance

And as the man could not allow himself to cry
over the body of his mother
while mourners watched on
his wife shed tears
as did the women around him
for him

And he let them

The tears of women heal
they split the heart
like scalpels
all in the same moment

And like all things of truth
the tears oif women
are sacred
and should never be shed
lightly
or without purpose

That purpose known
only to men
and the Creator