William Kelii Kekaula Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Poetic Form: Rhyme

How are you feeling?  Poetry Contest

Sponsor: Seth Pina

Entry Submitted: 2026 March 30

Contest Judged: 2026 April 03

Contest Placement: 2nd Place

Involuntary Tears

It starts behind the eyes, a quiet pressure,
No permission asked, no invitation sent.
A sudden, salty, heavy-hearted measure
Of moments that I thought were fully spent.
I am walking, breathing, doing what is needed,
When gravity shifts inward to the chest,
And I am forced to pause, however unheeded,
To let the burning, broken waters rest.

These are not the screams that set a spirit free,
But slow, stubborn thieves that drain the light.
They slip down silently, drawing what used to be,
A cold, unwelcome shadow in the bright.
I hate how they blur the faces I am loving,
How they steal the voice and make me small,
Just a traitorous, quiet, involuntary sobbing,
Against the sturdy, high, and hidden wall.

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Kim Rodrigues April 29, 2026 at 12:58 PM And even with my Dad (losing my Mom 5 years ago) the streams have stopped, however how much can you cry…first a river then a drought…not at all satisfying. Hugs and congrats on POTD! William Kelii Kekaula May 1, 2026 at 2:26 PM A thoughtful share, Kim. You are appreciated.

Deb M April 28, 2026 at 2:01 AM Hey William….belated POTD Congratulations for this very powerful beautifully written poem! Deserving of POTD….Debx William Kelii Kekaula May 1, 2026 at 2:22 PM A blessed share, Deb M. Thank you.

Constance La France April 3, 2026 at 3:11 PM William, wonderfully penned and congratulations on receiving the POTD honor and a win in the contest ~ William Kelii Kekaula April 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM Thank you, Constance, for stopping by with your heartfelt share.

Anisha Dutta April 3, 2026 at 8:23 AM CONGRATULATIONS to win TROPHY and for POTD Blessings William Kelii Kekaula April 3, 2026 at 2:29 PM Greatly appreciated on both counts.

I Am Anaya April 3, 2026 at 7:38 AM Congratulations on POTD & win, William! Most deserving, power in volumes, no fluff~ William Kelii Kekaula April 3, 2026 at 2:26 PM Thank you, Anaya, double-time, as I am fully rested.

Karen Jones April 3, 2026 at 2:52 AM Back to say congratulations on your trophy win! William Kelii Kekaula April 3, 2026 at 2:21 PM Thanks again, Karen.

Brandy Nicole April 1, 2026 at 8:27 PM When tears fall unrehearsed, it is a moment that needed to be released. Your thoughts caress gently around me and my heart. Congratulations William, on Poem of the Day. Hugs, Brandy William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 11:23 AM Thank you, Brandy, for your shared thoughts on my written piece, for its greatly appreciated.

Neve Vesalius April 1, 2026 at 2:43 PM Congratulations! William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 11:24 AM Thank you.

Paula Goldsmith April 1, 2026 at 12:57 PM Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your powerful "Involuntary Tears" write. Have a Beautiful/Blessed ~ Easter/Spring writing away............. William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 11:32 AM Thank you, Paula, and a blessed Good Friday, and a happy Easter Sunday, and finally, a wonderful Mid-Springtime to you as well, Aloha, William.

Christuraj Alex April 1, 2026 at 9:45 AM "I am forced to pause, however unheeded, To let the burning, broken waters rest." - The involuntariness is beautifully expressed in your powerful poem. Congratulations! William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 11:42 AM Thank you, Christuraj, for your shared sentiments on my written piece, for it is greatly appreciated.

Daniel Henry Rodgers April 1, 2026 at 7:46 AM Hello William, congrats on POTD. It's an interesting perspective to frame these tears as "thieves" rather than a release, they aren't clearing the air, they’re just taking up space. That feeling of being a "traitor" to your own composure, especially when you're trying to focus on the people you love, is a very grounded, unsentimental look at how we lose control of ourselves in those moments. Blessings, Daniel William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 11:51 AM Thank you, Daniel, for rendering your insightfulness on the highlighted portion of my written piece, thereby bringing about a complete point of view for a better understanding.

Christopher Delegans April 1, 2026 at 7:43 AM Very well-written and deserving of POTD, William! William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 11:54 AM Thank you, Christopher, for sharing.

Tania Kitchin April 1, 2026 at 6:54 AM William, congratulations on POTD with your emotive poem. William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 11:56 AM Thank you, Tania, for sharing.

Karen Jones April 1, 2026 at 4:01 AM You’ve presented involuntary tears with skill grace and flawless rhyme! Enjoyed reading a most deserved potd! Congratulations! William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 12:01 PM Thank you, Karen, for your kind and beautiful sharing.

Beryl Edmonds April 1, 2026 at 2:13 AM Congratulations William on having received Poem of the Day. Tears fall for whatever the reason, happy or sad, one can’t hold them back… Beryl William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 12:08 PM Thank you, Beryl, for rendering your insightful views on my written piece.

Unseeking Seeker April 1, 2026 at 2:12 AM Teary emotions superbly portrayed, William. Touching. Warmest congratulations on POTD. William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 12:13 PM Thank you, US, for your shared thoughts on my written piece.

Tom Cunningham April 1, 2026 at 12:32 AM A very emotional write William, congratulations to you on today's POTD honour. Tom William Kelii Kekaula April 2, 2026 at 12:16 PM Thank you, Tom, for your emotive rendering of my written piece.