We Weep Before We Know Poem by Adnana Zeljkovic

As I was taking your clothes
out of our maiden wardrobe,
this dress is yours, so are the socks,

this box of jewels, take it,
and this and this and this is yours,
in haste, almost in frenzy,
as if by getting married you were betraying us…

You burst out crying. It looked
as if we were pushing you out of our lives
pushing your boat offshore,
go out, go out, high seas are awaiting.

And you wept and wept,
your shoulders shaking with weeping.

Ever since you are sailing,
high seas salted with your tears.

Sweet sister, I cannot bear the emptiness
of that wardrobe in my heart.

How did you know then?
It took me a lifetime to realize
That we all weep before we know.