Tears

Maynard Lee Sisler

They lurk, to nourish old and untold griefs,

Erupting at memory's beck and call,

Or yet the high and poignant wall of "TAPS,"

Thus we know catharsis, with our beliefs

That somehow they will help us get through all

The dark and narrow time of psychic mishap.

When our cheeks are drenched with sorrows come anew

From untimely deaths a sadder point of view.

Once spent, the tears tend to renew themselves

And often sparkle from a wet eyelid

Just like the merriment of truant elves

Or a lingering look of love's sweet bid

It was not sent forth from fate's fickle finger

To let these powerful effects linger.

Truth -- A Sometime Visitor

A sonnet by

Maynard Lee Siser

Truth but seldom wore any finery

Her emissaries were often diverse.

To wit: counsel from an ageing mother

A daughter's agonizing line to me,

When she thought her whole life was going bad

Loving wisdom from my older brother.

My own expressions of this loving dad.

Who sp0oke the very truth they asked of me.

Pilate's Socratic query "what is truth?"

A "cop-out" observation down the years

"I entreat thee never to leave me" (Ruth)

Let Naomi's joy shine thus through her tears.

Whenever in this life you might be meeting,

Grasp her to your heart in joyful greeting.