transient

“Toppling Down”
completed on 5.25.19

i brushed the dust off
a box lost long ago
sealed with layers of caution tape
sliced open with a knife
but the worst was yet to come

wrapped in layers
meant to protect
thought it was safe
but in the dim light i saw
chips and cracks I never knew were there

something bestowed decades ago
crafted from morals and memories
but heartache and stress
made it far too fragile
so i packed it away to keep it safe

too blind and stubborn
despite the cracks
in my ceramic skin
i poured and then poured some more
overflowed and now I’m toppling down

spilling over from the weight of it all
volatile emotions that spill and ignite
vapors of my demons incinerating
tumbling on a one way ticket
as i strike the ground

i bounced off that floor
fractured and shattered
caught on fire and couldn’t breathe
through that black smoke
couldn’t do anything but stumble and choke

but you picked up all my fragile pieces
glued me back together and made me whole
and i still have cracks
but you fill those holes
so there’s more than emptiness inside

you’re the only one
who can look past my imperfections
you’re the only one
who brings out the best in me