Lacrimae Rerum (the tears of things)

Vergil’s lacrimae rerum names the sorrow woven into mortal existence itself,
the felt truth that the world of human affairs is marked by suffering
and therefore calls forth compassion.

for Maya Chavez

I want these words to fall
like your tears
and be writ in stone
for all
who’ve lost a father.

In rērum lībrā
  In the balance of things
lacrimae pendunt
  tears weigh
gravius aurō.
  more than gold.