Poem: Misjudged Cry

A stranger walked by and wondered why

I stared at the sky and began to cry.

He patted me on the back and sobbed too.

My friend. My friend. I am just like you!

The world can be sad, cruel, and mean.

I know exactly what you have seen.

“Thanks,” I replied. But these are tears of joy.

My wife is pregnant. We’re having a boy!

The stranger felt embarrassed and unwise.

“Sorry,” He said while glaring at my eyes.

Don’t apologize! Thank you for being so kind.

Any other stranger would pass me blind.

Tell me, please. What made you stop and care?

You said the world is often cruel and unfair.

Yes. Comforting others is how I cope.

But your tears of joy brought me new hope.

 

© Chad Damitz, 2020.