A Tear

It began as a mere
glistening in her eye.
It grew in size and tension,
like a skier atop an alpine run,
until it launched from the corner
of the eye, careened down
her cheek, across the jaw line,
and hung suspended from her chin.

Then the tear fell, dropping upon
her heaving breast, to disappear
into the fabric of her life,
its duty done.

Like ants all in a row achieving
their goal, an army of tears follows,
each doing its part to wash away
the emotion filling her heart.
Each is but an insignificant drop
of saline; yet, by the hundreds
(sometimes it may require even more),
peace of mind they can restore.

Tears of sorrow…
Tears of joy…
all provide a return to balance
by extreme emotion’s release.