Waste Not Your Tears Poem by Alexander Raju

When I left for my homeland,
Leaving you forlorn abroad,
I saw your eyes damp and red,
Your cheeks stained with salty tears,
Your eyelids kept a few drops
To clot your wet eyelashes;
And we smiled quite awkwardly
Each other to hide our feels,
Yet my mouth tried to whisper
My heart's painful thoughts, in vain:

Waste not your tears, my darling,
Reserve them for a reason
Better than mere sentiments;
Don't be silly to shed them
For all short-term departures,
Or planned send-offs or farewells,
But set them for the great day;
For your hot tears I desire
That I surely most deserve
When I bid my last farewell.

Gondar (Ethiopia) , September 25,2018