A Drop of Salty Liquid

I stand at the edge
Of a drop of salty liquid:
At the verge of drowning.

Heart pained, mind numb
— Shock: although expected,
Left with an empty hole. 

A drop of salty liquid,
Just one,
Begins the deluge.

Dripping, raining, 
The torrent sweeps all away:
A black whirlpool of sorrow.

Lachrymal woe washes the darkness. 
My dolor slowly abates:
Not diminished, but fragile.

A drop of salty liquid
Can refresh the swell,
So breathe deeply, slowly…

Until…

Delicate composure,
Barely a gossamer barrier
Against the gloomy rolling waves.

Yet,
Gently, cautiously,
Light passes through:

The light of memory,
The smiles, the laughter.
Confidences sincerely shared.

A caring heart, with sparkling air,
Open arms ever embracing kindly, 
Welcoming friends, of all sorts.

Each memory twinkles in the dark,
And light dances atop the daunting waves
As drops of salty liquid swirl.

Grief and joyful friendship
Spun together:
An eddy of light and dark

Powerful enough to drag under
Or propel brightly atop the surge, upwards:
Which would she have chosen?

A simple drop of salty liquid,
A maelstrom of emotion —
Tears swirling into the stars.