Triny Xiang Poet Free verse

Broken promises

Promise me your hands will reach out
Resilient attachment starts in childhood
When the brain has colic outside the womb
A mother’s unconditional love soothes worries
When a birthday missed slices the cord
Like two neurons missing a connection
Like a power line cut sparking wildly
Broken wires can’t be mended by tape
Not like broken bones knitted by mitosis
Neurons grow old unable to divide
When a childhood is interrupted 
Axons miss their forlorn dendrites
A childhood interrupted skips a score
Add twenty years to a worrying child
Poor attachment is a forever handicap
The best we can do is read lips like the deaf
No one can heal a drum torn by parents
When attachment fails to meet expectations
The best I can do is take a detour to you
Remind me addictions are poor parents
Their embrace won’t last the night like you
Addictions arise when attachment fails
They lie, no one will love you like them
They are fickle friends when parents fail
I’m the axon looking for my dendrite
I’m the mouth reaching for the pacifier
I'll show up for my birthday
I must hold cut wires with both hands
Be the expecting wine looking for a glass
Resilient attachment takes a detour
Take the long way home
Promise me I'll be there for me

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Jeanette Swan May 21, 2024 at 6:08 AM I'm picking out this line as speaking to my hope for the child in this poem, 'The best I can do is take a detour to you', but the child is doing the seeking. Would that there was a parent seeking this lost child. Your poem makes me think of this bible verse, 'The Lord is near to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit' - from Psalm 34 written by David pretending to be mad when his life was in danger about 1060 BC. Blessings. J :) Jeanette Swan May 27, 2024 at 5:28 AM like a plant seeking water... ? Triny Xiang May 24, 2024 at 11:10 PM Thank you. Yes, he promised when the righteous cry out, He will hear them. When the righteous fall into troubles, He will lift them. It begs the question of who is righteous before the Lord, but our neurons are all innocent and will find a detour if we let them.

Hilda Greenhough May 14, 2024 at 8:30 PM At least there is self nurturing. A friend is always a friend if it is yourself. There's no escape. This poem made me think, as you can see. It is well written. Triny Xiang May 14, 2024 at 10:02 PM It's like they say, physician heal thyself. I think of childhood trauma like having a stroke. It takes a lifetime of neurons taking detours till mobility and happiness are achieved. But, joy needs no doctoring. Thank you for your estimation of me, which I'm still in disbelief.

Silent One May 13, 2024 at 12:17 PM Your poem delves into the intricate complexities of attachment and its enduring effects on our emotional well-being. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt language, it illustrates how the foundation of resilient attachment is laid in childhood, shaped by the nurturing love of caregivers. The metaphorical comparison of broken wires to interrupted childhoods powerfully captures the lasting scars of early emotional wounds, highlighting the lifelong struggle to forge meaningful connections. Triny Xiang May 13, 2024 at 5:04 PM Aw shucks. In truth, broken wires can be mended. They will never be pristine, but that's what scars and tape are for. If I open myself up, healing must begin. That's a big if. Thank you for your analysis.