Cry, and a swan will hold you

From now on,

you are hereby allowed to cry in public.

*

There is nothing to hold in,

my stranger, my friend.

*

Let the emotions flow

like blue streams between your lashes—

*

without shame,

take gulp after gulp of fresh air.

*

Let the heat rise from your chest

like incense in a quiet room.

*

And we will place

a soft hand on your shoulder—

*

from now on,

You will never be alone.

*

No longer will you sit sobbing

in cold bathroom stalls,

*

No longer will you feel

that painful squeeze in your chest.

*

As it comes, it will go.

And we will be there,

*

Bearing witness to it all.

Freefall, freefall—

*

you are safe with us,

we will caress you like swans.

*

From now on,

you are hereby allowed to cry in public.