i’m fragile
easily broken
by scowls and frowns
and the sharp edges
of voices
belonging
to people
that i love
they don’t know
their harsh expressions
and pointed words
are weapons
that shatter me
on the inside
the broken pieces
hurt and fester
in the darkness
within me
so, i’ve hidden them away
where no one can see
and now
i’m left alone
a fragile child
in an adult body
with a pile
of shards
to sort out
by myself
i don’t know
where to begin
i don’t know
how to put myself
back together
because
i don’t remember
what wholeness
feels like
so, i sit here
overwhelmed
and curse myself
for being fragile
hungry for kindness
hungry for love
hungry for connection
from up above
hungry to be heard
hungry for peace
we humans are desperate
for this hunger to cease
hungry for validation
hungry for touch
the lack of nourishment
is becoming too much
hungry for change
hungry to succeed
how will we ever
fulfill all our needs
hello?
god, we’re down here
can’t you see this mess?
we’re starving inside
and can’t live on less
where is the nourishment?
where is the source?
the way is hidden
and we’re way off course
clearly you’ve decided
to hide from our view
so you must be hoping
we’ll learn what to do . . .
well, i suppose that . . .
humans can be kind
humans can love
these things aren’t exclusive
to heaven above
humans can listen
humans can cease
fighting each other
and generate peace
humans can acknowledge
that humans can share
understanding and compassion
when life isn’t fair
humans can change
humans can succeed
because all humans have
what all humans need
maybe . . .
as hungry hungry humans
who’ve found a new way to be,
i will feed you
if you will feed me?
hey,
do you see that person over there?
the one you think is
quiet and weird
they have a story
that you don’t know
oh, and that person, over there
the one you think is
obnoxious and wrong
they have something to offer
that you can’t see
maybe you should walk over there,
start a respectful conversation
and then listen
because
you will always
learn the most
from the people
over there
