Holding It Together
By Ashley O’Hare
The world beats the innocence
out of us all.
It makes perfect sense
that we grow up broken.
The older we get,
the harder it is to hold yourself together.
Glue dries with the years.
Sewing needles break with age.
Tape loosens with the streaming tears.
Maybe that is why
I held onto you so tight.
Your arms were strong enough
to hold every shattered piece together.
Boy was it a relief
to finally breathe.
But I understand
why you are no longer around.
I was never your responsibility.
I only wish I had the ability
to heal myself
and feel happy again
the way I was with you.