Tears

Oh let them fall
like warm salt rain
like a shower
washing away hurt, pain

cleaning a heart
where you will remain
with all the others
the ones who grew away
or never grew
the cleanest clearest of leavings:
against both your will and mine.

each a flame, and claim
on who I have become
like root growing around rock
or the push of a persistent
coast wind on tamarisk
I am glad for each, for every

each, a teacher
But for you, the bonfire
in my heart, most of all
who left that heart
an open door