eyes fill with tears
not really out of sadness
it's more like
i haven't slept tonight
and sometimes that will do it
or maybe sadness is always just
right there beneath my eyelids
seeps out when they're open too long
i called my mother and she said
cry child
cry for whatever works
cry for the women
in sweatshops in bangladesh

i cry for them and i cry for me

some people say
if it didn't work out
it wasn't meant to be

but take it from someone
who could write a phd
on letting people leave

maybe sometimes
the worthwhile thing
is the fight for it

possibilities dancing
on the tips of my eyelashes
will you be there when
i open my eyes?
you move so
ethereally
and now you're close so
suddenly
unexpected new shining
with all that can be uncovered
are you shy?
are you looking
for something
you're not quite sure
you'll recognize?