Cheeks Without Tears

to the heart that was stopped

you will never taste the caressing kiss of a summer rain,
you will never plant your feet on foreign but fertile ground,
you will never see fires blaze in the midst of hazey skies
and you will never see trees sway gently in the breezes

but there are others

others who will only remember the ache of being alone, family gone, sins they can't atone

others who felt Katrina, or the Tsunami, only remembering the vision of the baby's drowning mommy
others who will know the weight of earth laid against their chest as they cry, whimper at best
others who fear the heat of bullets aimed at terrorist burning holes in their homes,
and children
and families
others who live with fluid in their lungs, gasping for breath, and wishing for death

you may never relish the taste of victory  but you will never resent the pain
of mistrust or the agony
of denial

memories of loves, long gone, will not hunt you
you will have no regrets, and no fears
a gift to you: cheeks without tears