Wednesday, 6 July 2011

Artificial Tears

The artificial tears come in a small white pot. I am to apply them twice a day. I put the small white pot on the counter. Next to the pestle. The chopper. The packets and bags. It was kind of him to try. To try and make me comfortable. To try and give me something to unwrap the puzzle of my face. The heat makes me sweat. Sat on the kitchen floor. Looking at my row of possibilities. Thinking how I could use the tears to become like those sobbing ladies who lower their heads and weep into a plastic cup of water. They cry tears that aren’t real. But everybody believes. They hold their hand. Rub their shoulder. Nothing much to figure out. No puzzle. No sloping eye or silence. I look at the small white pot. Read the ingredients. Could cause irritation. I know the tears could turn nasty. Like everything turns nasty. I lie on the tiles. Feel the pressure in my chest. Pass hands over flesh. Knead what skin is left. There is salt and water in there. I can feel it. I want to pour it from my eyes. My mouth. Collect it in a cup and show you. Look. Look. I can cry too. But it scares me. If these tears escape their little pot I will never cease.
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26 comments:

  1. J Cosmo Newbery6 July 2011 at 04:24

    There are those who say 'fake it until you make it' but I am sure that they were not talking about tears. Can I send tissues?

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  2. Ramesh Sood6 July 2011 at 05:03

    This is beautiful.. let tears flow..and go...and let go and let God.. Jae Rose.. you continue to amaze me..love coming here every wednesday..

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  3. annell46 July 2011 at 05:22

    Hummmm... today I posted about Descansos, and there are probably many tears at each one. Perhaps I will look for little white pot next time, you never know, maybe artificial tears? Perhaps you are right, "If these tears escape their little pot, they will never cease?" You always exhibit much imagination! Well done! xoxoxoxoxo

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  4. glnroz6 July 2011 at 06:00

    I don't see ,,, artificial

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  5. Laurie Kolp6 July 2011 at 06:30

    As always, I love your unique style and vivid images, Jaerose!

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  6. Sheilagh Lee6 July 2011 at 07:20

    Sheilagh Lee said:You continue to astound and amaze me with your wonderful offerings.I love this,

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  7. Unknown6 July 2011 at 08:26

    This feels serious. My reaction is equally so.
    Your piece amplifies how scary it can be to release the pain and sorrow, the salt, the water, the tears.The loss of control can feel too much, harrowing and deep. But here's the thing...release is inevitable, if not through tears then right through soul, body, skin; when the pressure can no longer be resisted, the urge becomes too intense to withstand.
    Release is inevitable. You get to choose the method.

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  8. Jae Rose6 July 2011 at 08:50

    Thanks for the offer of a tissue J Cosmo - don't worry J's holding it all in like a pro!

    Thank you Ramesh..always a pleasure to see you..

    Another thing I will have to Google - thank you Annell..tears come in all sorts of pots.. :)

    Thanks Glenn..happy to claim all is real..

    Thank you very much Laurie..

    Thank you kindly Sheilagh..

    As yet, all is held together today Kim..at the moment maybe maintaining a choice is key..thank you as ever

    Jae

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  9. Amanda6 July 2011 at 11:32

    If these tears escape their little pot I will never cease.

    That's always been my fear too. Even though the longest I've ever managed was 2 weeks.

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  10. Alice Audrey6 July 2011 at 11:54

    You managed something really piquant with your pot of tears. Well done. Great use of 3 words.

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  11. Janet Lingel Aldrich6 July 2011 at 13:44

    Thanks ... that was really quite touching. Well done!

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  12. VL Sheridan6 July 2011 at 15:02

    I like the way she's struggling with the idea of manufacturing "fake" tears in order to gain sympathy and compassion but is put off by it all turning out badly. As much as she wants a connection with people she only wants an honest one. Lovely.

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  13. Kwee Cats and Art6 July 2011 at 16:05

    Looking for reality in a fake world, I hope she finds it. I enjoy the interesting turns and emotions. Beautiful descriptions too. Very nice. Thank you.

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  14. Daydreamertoo6 July 2011 at 16:33

    Very lovely.
    In this day and age where everything can be fixed or fake, or plastic, tears are also included.
    Sometimes we cannot find the answers we seek until we release the floodgates that keep us in check.
    Your writing is always so unique, intricate and, lovely.

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  15. rallentanda6 July 2011 at 17:20

    Why purchase artificial tears? Join a poetry community and you can cry non stop for free:)

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  16. Old Egg6 July 2011 at 20:44

    Tears come so easily, you don't have to pay for them. This seems to be the continual fight against survival when oblivion seems so much better. Tears may make you stronger, able to feel better, able to cope better. Lying on the floor, on the tiles you certainly have a different view of life. I have to roll over to get up. Perhaps rolling over might help! For all that the words were beautiful.

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  17. Kate6 July 2011 at 20:51

    How many times have I thought: "If I start now, I'll never stop?" Too many recently. Thanks for this, Jae.

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  18. Ann (bunnygirl)6 July 2011 at 22:20

    Artificial tears for when you refuse to cry on your own? I'm kind of charmed by the idea.

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  19. Jae Rose7 July 2011 at 04:08

    It's healthy to have a good cry..thanks Amanda :)

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  20. Altonian7 July 2011 at 04:10

    Here is a psychological aspect of the problem: If you are thinking of artificial tears as the answer, then maybe there is no real reason for real tears at all. Worth thinking about.

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  21. Jae Rose7 July 2011 at 04:13

    Thank you Alice..always a pleasure..

    Thanks Janet..

    Thanks VL - and for explaining it to me..often I am left clueless!

    Thank you very much Kwee..

    Yes, that's true DayDreamer..all about finding the right time and place I guess..

    ;) Rallentanda..misery poets weekly..

    I require a lot of huffing and puffing to get upright too..that makes me cry! Thanks OldEgg

    Thank you Kate :)

    Thanks Ann..charmed right back..

    Jae

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  22. Nico7 July 2011 at 16:07

    "Sat on the kitchen floor. Looking at my row of possibilities." I'm not sure why that speaks so strongly to me, but it does. Seems so bleak--or maybe the right word is forlorn. Amazing poem, Jae.

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  23. Jae Rose8 July 2011 at 04:16

    Both are good words..thank you Nico..Jae

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  24. Anonymous8 July 2011 at 09:36

    Wow the emotion, you are just incredible.

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  25. Jae Rose9 July 2011 at 07:17

    thank you mindlovemisery..Jae

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  26. trisha12 July 2011 at 10:09

    i too feel awed by them. :)
    i dont know how they manage that level of acting without any formal training.

    mine:
    http://magicthought.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/soft-wind-for-3ww/

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