I only cry on the inside. 
The tears fall inwardly. 
They collect inside my feet 
And I slosh around in misery. 

I only laugh on the inside. 
The laughter never leaves my soul. 
It turns it up like volume 
And deafens my inner ears. 

I only search on the inside. 
Looking for a way to experience 
Whale-song and whip-cracking, 
Free on the plains, like young colts. 

I only die on the inside. 
My inner light slowly fading. 
When it goes, I'll go with it. 
I'll disappear inside out.

Herman Melville, American novelist and writer, was born today in 1819.

Calamity Jane, American frontierswoman, died on this day in 1903.