When Tears Dissipate with the Mist

The morning mist conceals his tears,
They are not pains from the passions of love
or the absence of love. Not today!
Today he’s lost in yesterday’s tears 
and weeps for what could have been.
His steps are heavy, as if he wants
to crush the regrets that sit tight in the chest,
but instead, he turns around 
and wipes the tears
with the sleeves of his fresh ironed shirt.
The mist dissipates and brings clarity,
and he knows the sun will shine once again.
Perhaps not today. 

—Bernadete vdw, ‘25