No Tears This Season
By Kerry Jo Bell
Haven’t wasted my tears in a while
The stars wink as if in agreement
Under the twilight winter sky
They’re flirting with me I think
I remember when you used to flirt
Turns out you riled me up for no reason
A thirst trap
Men like you are a dime a dozen
I’m just glad that it occurred to me
That it’s been two whole seasons
And I haven’t wasted my tears on you for no reason
I won’t cry when I see the festooned windows
No matter how cold it gets tonight
The holiday lights are blinding
And I’m reminded
That I love to hate this time of year
Because being alone at Christmas
Is purgatory
But I won’t cry when I’m cold and alone tonight
I won’t cry this season
Because I’m alright
In a world that’s gasping for air
From a pandemic
And other fights
I have no reason to cry
I didn’t think I’d heal
But I did
I no longer yearn for you
I smile at myself in the mirror
Proud I haven’t thought of you in a while
Life goes on
My heart pumps on
But not for you
There are no tears for you this winter
No matter how cold it feels tonight
It wasn’t until five years ago that I got an inkling I could write professionally. Since then, my work has appeared in multiple literary journals and magazines, and I’ve written a full length work of autobiographical fiction (currently seeking publication). A byproduct of all that writing was being welcomed into The Writers Union of Canada’s BIPOC mentorship program as well as becoming an associate member of the League of Canadian Poets. I am currently working on a chapbook of poetry and plan to start work on my memoir in Spring 2022.
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