He Brushed a Tear
by Brian Berlin
Copyright © 2026 Brian Berlin. All rights reserved.
he brushed a tear that dwindled down his cheek
embarrassed by the fact it trespassed there
to ease the awkwardness, I said, for me—
I leave them to evaporate to air
why should we hide the things the heart reveals?
is it unmanly when a teardrop falls?
the brave man is the one who dares to feel
to show it—makes us human, after all
no kingly lion’s capable of crying
nor stag—that sovereign lord of all the deer
what dew’s been felt that fell from eagle flying?
no mighty bear can bear to shed a tear
so, let them stream without a single care
and let the salty traces linger there