Tears. Sometimes our greatest comfort. Often our darkest fear that we are about to be overwhelmed by sudden and uncontrollable feelings.

From misting of the eyes, through soft drizzles on cheek to cascades that would put Niagara falls to shame the event of tears comes in all shapes and sizes. There is something primordial in their arrival. We may be the only animal to actually cry and scientists in their wish to explain everything cite the simultaneous release of endorphins to help relieve the emotional stress, the physical pain, as vital to restore the sense of calm and well-being. But not everything can be explained and pigeon-holed with certainty.

Our quoted authority is not the people in white coats but those with a quill, a heart and a soul that can take these feelings of love and loss and with the ink of words put to verse feelings and emotions that can be re-lived and shared by all. As they venture through depression, war, slavery to heartache and the loss of loved ones our eyes may mist and tears gently fall at what collectively we have done, have experienced, have witnessed and lost.

From Owen and Dickenson to Wheatly and Hopkins our surrender to tears may not be far away.