Why We Cry Poem by Ehi Abah

When we hug ourselves and give in to wrenching sobs
It's not as though we imagine them in the depths of hell
When our red-rimmed eyes still pour out an ocean
It's not because they died too young to be great

A part of our heart has been torn away
Rudely! No permission asked!
And the cut bleeds
Aching for that missing piece

We remember the head-thrown-back laughter
We know our laughs now won't be the same
We remember every line in their face
We know we'll never again see them wrinkle up in laughter

It hurts
It pains
It stabs
It tears our heart in two

I know I'll go to heaven
I know I'll see him there
But death isn't welcome yet
And so I hold on to that one picture
And weep for what once was