shattered

when your heart is broken
it is broken as much
outward as inward

because you know then

how many have felt
this
self-same pain
of wishing only to curl
up in a little ball
and retreat.

and you’ll know to go on

as they have had to go on

because your life has been

broken outward

and to heal

must receive

and to receive

must stay open


Beth McCarthy Marks
2006