Tears

 by Brett Rutherford

     after Li Yu, Poem 32

So many tears! Like rivers
on the map of China,
sideways they flow
across my furrowed cheeks.

Tears cannot tell my story;
     ink can.
Tears cannot play the phoenix
     flute; breath can.

I weep, I write, I sigh.
Still this failing heart
     refuses to break.