As If   (excerpt)                                     July 24, 2001

 

 

 

Somewhere along a lifetime most are broken

but we pretend we are not,

taking up armor and masks

as if so doing we could fool the rest,

as if a state of brokenness

was something to be ashamed of.

Contorted behind a smiling

and daily polished patina

we bend ourselves into pretzels for fear

a glimmer, warm and needing,

might shine through and blow our cool.

As if no one could read the details

running tickertape across our foreheads.

As if none could see our clumsy antics

tripping over bloated and rotting unattended business.

As if our single-minded hypocrisy

caused no pain.

As if we could hide from who we are,

as if who we are was hiding.

And still we are loved by those who see us

better than we see ourselves

love letting go of face forever and

taking up the heart of us,

however broken.

 

Copyright © 2001-2003 Kristen Spexarth