Fears for Tears
Posted by Brad Osborne on February 21, 2021 · 27 Comments
~~~
Forever I have feared the tears
The long ribbons of sadness
And trapped within my fears
I dance with the madness
~~~
I worry that should they start
Whatever solace they may lend
Will be my falling apart
A risk they may never end
~~~
If I were to just let go
Untether the haunted mind
What revealed, I cannot know
Or the pain in the things I find
~~~
Stoic stays a man still child
Not out of a sense of bravery
The saddest part, all the while
By tears, I am bound in slavery
~~~
These old eyes have seen too much
And if allowed, salted drops to well
They may bring with their touch
A different kind of hell
~~~
Someday, I may lose this battle
I will become the broken man
Greatest fear whilst I cry and prattle
Who will hold this child’s hand?
~~~
Rate this:
Related
Comments
27 Responses to “Fears for Tears”Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
commonsensiblyspeaking 
Beautifully written Brad, while each line has a powerful impact, I love the ending and how you relate to tears with a long ribbon of sadness; it’s such a great comparison. I, too, just posted a poem, and to a certain extent, it’s again kind of similar to yours. Is it really that our minds are in some telepathic sync, or is it that because I consider you as a guru, I get to see a tiny fraction of your unique thoughts inside me? Well not sure will know.
I do think we are sometimes in a telepathic sync, but I can assure you that the beauty you create with your words is solely yours. I am honored that you look to me as a mentor, but it is your passion and drive to create that has provided your accomplishments. I am humbled by your words and greatly appreciative of your support and friendship! To be honest, I though your post today was much better than mine, and of that I am so proud!
I am glad about the sync, and yes, I will always consider you as a mentor because your guidance, positivity, and approachability are commendable. But the best is your humble nature Brad, your selflessness to help me or anyone alike. I will only hope to make you more proud, but for me reading your work has been stepping into a whole new world of possibility. You, Mr. 365 of the poetry world, and I always wish to see your fantastic art touch our heart every passing day 🙂🙏👍👌
You honor me and I am humbled. I will always be proud of your work and effort, but most importantly, I am proud of the person you choose to be. 🙏
very beautifully written
Thank you, Beth! You are a rock star!
Oh, Brad…. how I wish you’d let go of the weight of those tears, and know that in the release, you will release the pain that they hold. And, my dear brother, I took care of the child when he was, indeed, only a child, and I have never let go of your hand even as you grew into an adult. I will ALWAYS be here to hold your hand, to absorb your tears on my shoulders, and to nurture you as you let them free. I love you beyond measure!
Oh, if it were only that easy my loving and ever faithful sister. The want to let go is tamped by years of conditioning and the fear of what letting go may release in its aftermath. This is a long road for me to walk, but I think I take a few steps everyday. Hopefully I can find the end of this road before the end of my physical journey through the universe. Love you to pieces!
Oh, my loving brother, how did we come from the same family? I was always the crier, the one who wore her heart on her sleeve and was chastised by our parents to “buck up and QUIT crying” while you were conditioned to never start crying (I blame the Marines for that!). I am proud of every step you take on this road, and I hope I will still be here to hold you hand when you reach its end!
The Marines did not help to make me expressive emotionally, but the largest blame likely lies with the male archetype prominent in my youth. You know, before it was cool to be sensitive, and even now not too sensitive. There are still times today where expect a man to act and behave like a strong, rational, unemotional man. There are still many mixed signals today on what is expected of a man emotionally.
Outstanding Brad 👏👏👏
Thank you for your kind and generous words! 🙏
A beautifully crafted poem! Thanks!!
Thank you, K! I greatly appreciate your kindness and support.
that sounds like a tough battle.
and I agree that there is pressure on men to not show their emotion. I cry easily during a movie, but even then, I often try to hide it…
Men get a ton of mixed signals, but I am lithe to detail my thoughts as I feel they would not be well received by all….I know it is a cop out to seek safety in silence, but that is a hurdle a little too high to jump at the present.
I completely understand, just sharing your thoughts through this poem is powerful…
Thank you, Jim. Baby steps….
A most beautiful poem to growing old, acquiring understanding and softening the heart enough to let a tear slide through…
Thank you Francisco! I appreciate my words being so readily understood and your comments and friendship refresh me like a cool summer breeze.
You’re very welcome my friend!
Brad this is simply beautiful. I understand what you’re saying here as well although I’ve already opened and exceeded my flood gates years ago.
“I worry that should they start
Whatever solace they may lend
Will be my falling apart
A risk they may never end”
Hope all is well with you. We have been traveling in the mountains of North Carolina looking for a mountain home as opposed to where we are currently living, so I have been off-line pretty much for a couple of days. I will try to catch up in the next few days. Sending you lots of love my dear friend. You never disappoint Brad. Love Jonikins 😘💕🤗❤️
I’m that guy that cries during sappy commercials. One of my brothers is the same way, and the tears seem to flow much easier with age.
Thank you, Pete! That does not surprise me as you are a very empathetic person. You are a great sense of how others feel. I appreciate your commenting, always!
My dearest Brad, your lovely verses pulled at these soft heart strings of mine.
The best advice I was ever given came to me not long after my mother’s passing. A guy I used to work with told me I would feel numerous emotions & to allow myself to feel them. I know it’s easier said than done. I know I still don’t know you all that well, but I’ve picked up on a few things. I’m sure you’re a bit stubborn and have been conditioned to suppress emotion, but the healing comes from releasing them. The only way out is through. You are not nor will you ever be “broken.” Deeply wounded, maybe, but not broken. Anyway, I will hold your hand. I may not always know what to say or be able to make things better, but I will always sit with you in the dark and offer my hand when you need one to hold. ❤ Oh, & by the way, you’re not old until you’re 80. 😘
My dear Kristian, you are such a kind, generous, and thoughtful friend. Thanks you for you welcomed words. You are a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Hope you guys are well and safe. Much love! 💖🌹
You always make me smile, friend. ❤ We are safe & mostly well. Climbing the walls and going story crazy, but I think most of us are in that boat.