she can still cry

the hour was late
gentle, measured breathing
her eyes closed
but her mind's eye wide open
replay rewind remember
fragments
bits
pieces fallen from a life
complete, relentless, neverending
voices
words
so plain yet they tear and rip
kitchen knives with diamond blades

no tears to ease
the burden of remembering
no tears to wash the slate clean
no tears to burn and purify a soul
stricken by hatred, envy
no tears
only numbness
frozen heart beats
in a stiff rhythm
the only part that seems truly alive then

and
when night has replaced night
the vigil, dry eyed and
spirit exhausted,
ends
in a flood of tears
warm, refreshing, honest
she finds
she can still cry
so she smiles through the faint mist