Sublimed Tears

Appeared in My Twice Exiled Throne, Clarios Voices #1, Feral Angels Press, 2025.

Sublimed tears

In the midst of a genocide, we

have nowhere to hide except in each other’s arms. 

So I come from exile to hide

having sublimed my tears

like Arak that I’ll never drink alone. 

When I find his arms and he finds mine, 

he chokes on his words and I, with clouds

in my eyes, realise for the first time

that we do not know joy without tears.

One day, they’ll tire from killing us, 

and their carnage ‘ll come to a standstill

and you’ll watch us shed the tears of joy.

One day we’ll be free as feral birds

and no less equal on human rights

and you’ll watch us shed the tears of joy

until we have no more tears for joy,

this kind of joy, to draw from our eyes,

and then we shall fall in each other’s arms

for the joy of not having to hide.