Just a Play

Don’t be sad. It’s just a play.

It’s been carefully contrived to make you weepy.

Soon the hurt will go away.

It will vanish like some tissue paper dream.

Let’s go out and get some air.

It seems so much cooler out here in the lobby.

Take a breath. Relax, My Dear.

There is just so much your tender heart can take.

Look, you’re trembling.

Let’s stand over here. Lean against the wall.

Listen: now they’re in there laughing.

Laughter after tears, that’s the sweetest gift of all.

How’re you doin’? Feel better now?

Do you think you’re strong enough to go back in there?

Look around: you’re not alone.

People everywhere are laughing through their tears.

It’s like a three-Kleenex movie or a pause-button video

Or a tear-stained novel or a Brahms adagio.

It’s a helluva thing to go through.

Even though it’s just a play and every bit of it is true.