Scattered All Around
"Fragments and crumbs of life, all the little pieces"
John Ruskin, 1853
Scattered all around
Scrambling to pick up the pieces
Of what is left
That was once whole
Now shattered on the ground
What once was beautiful
Now broken and chipped away
Desperate to find every piece
In hopes of restoration
Frantically searching
Eyes darting everywhere
Ignoring the pain
As the shards cut
As you seize each piece
Even the most minuscule
Clutching it ever so close
As tears start to swell
Chest begins to heave
As panic sets in
How could this have happened
Failed to protect and guard
Something so precious
Only few ever find
More valuable than gold
Casting the illusion
Of being untouchable
Standing the test of time
Safe and resistant
Thus leading to distance
Less guarding and sheltering
Taking comfort in the safety
Of letting go
Only to see it topple over
Like slow motion
Fearfully reaching out
Brushing fingertips
But not quick enough
Watching it descend
Eyes wide
No longer breathing
Heart stopping
Helpless now
Ear-piercing
As it shatters
Into a million pieces
Knees hitting the ground
Awe struck
Dumb-founded
What once was treasured
Lies hopeless and lifeless
Even if all the pieces are found
Carefully glued back together
It will never be as beautiful
Covered with cracks
Never showing strength
Only fragile and weak
Telling the story of carelessness
How one looked away
Only for a brief moment
Left vulnerable to the unknown
Is now nothing more
Than broken shards
Glistening from tears
In blood-stained hands
By Shauna Riley
5/17/11
For A Rambling Poet's contest, "All the Little Pieces"
Copyright © A Rambling Righting Riley - Shauna Riley | Year Posted 2011
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