I’m puzzled, a puzzle Fragmented segments of everything ‘til now Jigsawed, jagged, overlapping, yet stippled, laying bare splinters of vulnerability, defect, inadequacy I can’t wash it clean. I can’t disguise the rot and hurt and stink I can only append, adjoin, affix New zigsaws Pillowy lumps of smiles, warm muffins, time with family Shards of heartbreak, grief, sour grapes, and lost games of chance Neat, clean lines for a job well done, a goal achieved, hope for the future It’s all there, making me me, a me that evolves with each experience Cocooned in the fragmented segments of everything ‘til now