The Salt of Tears

You reached out to touch my face that day.

Your fingers seemed already cold upon my moist cheeks.

I felt my tears must have had a lifetime of pain in each drop.

With a wry smile, your thumb made a gentle arc across my cheek to wipe away the pain.

And then,

you placed your thumb in your mouth, closed your eyes,

and heaved a great sigh.

Your breath expelled slow and steady, and I watched as the salt of my tears unlocked the grief you had been trying to hide.

Our pain bloomed in each line and crease upon your face.

You corralled me in to your chest and held me tight there.

And we both wept.

Because weeping,

is easier than saying goodbye.