Cry

(for my daughter in her heartbroken moments)

Cry
Give yourself time to cry.
Allow yourself to be sad.
Parcel out all the hours and minutes
and days you think you need.

Let yourself be engulfed in the hurt
and disappointment
and anger.
Hurl.
Scream.
Curse.
Bawl.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling a little sorry for yourself
But feel these things
and then stop.

Give yourself time to wallow.
Build yourself a fortress in your pillow
and in the nook of your palms.
Make my shoulder your safe haven.

But don’t stay there sweetheart.
The woman you want to be doesn’t live there.

Heal.
Because nobody who hurts you is worth losing your smile for.
Nobody who made you cry until your lips quiver,
‘till the stars in your eyes make way for splotches of angry red,
'till your heart trembles and breaks
and splinters in your chest,
'till your emotions warp from happy
to hurt-to anger-to confusion-to dull.
Nobody who ravages through the love you give
and leaves you in a place-
the place where hearts can only be broken,
deserves to steal your smile

Why would you let them?