By Angela Sheridan Pully
Date: 3 January 1998

Solitary Tear

Single tear.
Salty drop.
Microcosm 
of fear and
loneliness.

Tiny ocean.
Leaves its mark
on her face
like the waves
mark the beach.

Rolling down
her wet cheek,
it joins its
fellow tears,
falling fast.

She can swim
in her tears,
but she won't.
Wipes them off
one by one.