Crying in the Market

I saw her, even masked, by the chicken.

"There you are!" we said, grateful to recognize our eyes.
We chatted, masked, distant, sad.
Her daughter would graduate the next day in all the weird ways.

Did she see my tears?
What does empathy look like now?
Can I show my love when I can't hug?

Her daughter, this graduation.
It breaks all our hearts.

Let me say this as loud as I can from my quiet perch: celebrate your tears!
Cry as often as you can.
Be sad! Now is not the moment for bravery.

Now is the moment to grieve with others.
Now is the moment to bitch and moan and whine.
Now is the moment to be sad and sullen and lost.

If you cry in the market, so be it.
That is exactly what you should do.