Cryin'

Two little babies in their prams at the chemists, with tear stains down their cheeks, and the quiet, shy and snuggly stare that seems to follow a baby's howl. Not wanting to go outside and was perfectly fine inside thankyou? Resisting sleep? Cries of frustration from not being able to say what they want?

Small park in the back streets just off the main road. Woman on a bench, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, while a friend sits beside her with her arm around her shoulder, consoling, listening. Too much going on in her life and finding it hard to cope? Did someone die in an unexpected way? Debrief after a difficult end to a relationship? Disappointing news or a disappointing person?

Late at night, all is silent. Then, through the concrete brick walls we hear the faint sound of muffled sobbing. We hold our breaths and listen. In fact, it is someone crying really hard... the type of cry where you have to take massive inward breaths between sobs because you are crying so hard. The sort of cry that must be expressing the deepest disappointment, grief, or loneliness, and the only way to let it out is to have a big cry when you are somewhere safe and alone, or with people who you can let see you like this...