When My Sister Cried

When my sister cried
It seemed the heavens wept
The pain encased in her silent tears
Was so much larger than her
Slender frame could bear
Yet, silently the tears crept down  
Her cheeks
Dripping from her chin in silent rooms
She'd strum her sad guitar with quiet grace
Such anguish pulsing from her ravaged face

She cried as if she didn't have the right
As if she weren't deserving of our care
Alone she'd hide her feelings from our sight
Her tender broken dreams upon the floor
And as her tears sprang hot from deep within
She'd strum her sad guitar and turn away
Pretending tears weren't sliding from closed eyes
Never to acknowledge we were there
Feeling undeserving of our care

Never have I witnessed anyone
Whose pain was so intense and sorrowful
As when I'd watch my sister play guitar
Tucked away from any prying eyes
Pretending that the pain she so denied
Wasn't running down like rivers from her eyes
So quietly she cried and played guitar
No mask to hide the tragedy inside
And still I feel the burning deep inside
The agony of when my sister cried