cry louder

He advised her to her heart's content and feel no shame, for there was no greater relief than weeping, but he suggested she loosen her bodice first.

-Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I.
Once I asked my mother
if she'd had any guiding philosophy
in raising us.
She said,
only to never make you feel shame.

II.
It is easy to cry in Port Authority
in Grand Central,
in the supermarket.
Everyone is there
and can see.
In my own house
it is not so easy.

III.
Bra straps and bodice thread
looped back and forth.
Wrists on back
for leverage to pull tighter.
Before the heaving
the fear of the moment after:
wet faced and hollow
needing to do something next.