The Old Woman, the Tulip, and the Dog

The Sorrow Triptych

47 The Sorrow Triptych The gift of tears said the old woman like the gift of laughter is a kind of cleansing a rinsing out I discovered this as a child when my grandfather died no more glasses of sugary tea I cried a lot prayed for him each night grew a little older a little more free You see me droop said the dark red tulip you see my violent redness growing a little brown a little dry where I was moist you see the hinges of my petals subtly loosen like old roof tiles like a heavy flag taken down and folded up while the day is still bright the sun still shining I try always to be obedient to do the pleasing thing in bed with them I don’t bounce around 48 I am quiet as can be it’s so nice lying between them under their cotton quilt they smell so good said the dog there was no reason to make me leave the room or to have pushed the door until it clicked honest to god I wish dogs could cry ...