Floodgates
The April Hoot began with featured readers from the wonderful collection “ 2008 Poets’ Guide to New Hampshire” assembled by John-Michael Albert, fine poet and host of the Hoot for the previous five years. (Copies of the book are available at several local bookstores or can be ordered by writing John-Michael.Albert@comcast.net).
During the open mic portion of the evening, Jack Jamison read this candid poem:
FLOODGATES
I’m not envious
Except for a woman’s tears
Her floodgates open
And cathartic tears cleanse her soul
I’ve shed only miserly teardrops. Rarely
And never for my own pain
When I hurt deeply
I feel a dam just behind my eyes
A strong, manly dam aching for release
But it has no floodgates
– Jack Jamison
I know many of us recognize and share the experience that Jack has described so clearly and powerfully. Isn’t it surprising how a movie, book, television show, or newspaper story about someone else’s life can bring us to tears more easily than our own sorrow or disappointment? I also wonder if it is true that many more men than women have difficulty opening the “floodgates.” At times we all wish for the release that tears provide and that can help us to move forward.
– Harvey Shepard
hshepard@gmail.com
“Floodgates” copyright 2008 by Jack Jamison. Jack, a Portsmouth resident, is retired, an active volunteer, proud father of three daughters, and grandfather of three boy/girl pairs. He has written poems for almost 20 years just for himself; with this poem he has started to share them with the public.