The Tear

She doesn’t wipe the tear—

Not because it won’t fall 

But because she is not finished holding it 

She doesn’t wipe the tear—

not because it won’t fall,

but because she is mourning

the woman she used to be, 

and grief deserves a moment

to breathe.

She doesn’t wipe the tear—

not because she is weak,

but because she remembers

who she was, 

even as she learns

who she is now.

She doesn’t wipe the tear—

not because she is broken,

but because she is afraid

this version of herself

is not enough to be loved. 

She doesn’t wipe the tear—

not because she is lost,

but because she is searching

for the woman she was, 

unaware that the man beside her

has never stopped seeing her.

She doesn’t wipe the tear—

because she is grieving her old self 

while I am loving her whole self 

She doesn’t wipe the tear—

not because it won’t fall 

but because some grief 

must be held 

before it can be released 

© Ron Simpson Jr. 

March 18, 2026