Bladeyard

Each fragment holds a story, frozen in the moment it gave way

Damaged in defense

Assassinated in assault

Tip snapped

Forte fractured

Foible frozen in a baneful bend

This ferric archive, weighty

Evidence of effort,

A metal count more meaningful than

Competition bling

I can't throw them away

Feeling too much empathy

Gratitude for touches they amassed

Conscious that

We all of us are

broken by our art 

Domino Effect

Consequences

Ripple down through time

Lapping at a future shore

Shifting pebbled memories

Nothing's ever done and gone

No problem truly solved

No trauma healed

Excision leaves a hollow to be filled

Stitches yield a scar,

Even faded bruises make us flinch

From shadowed harm

I fear

The best we can achieve is

Swapping cozy suffering for

Bright new pain, shiny with the gloss

At least, of novelty

Renewing hope of conquest

Resolution

Victory

Cessation

Health

Knowing this, I've learned to moderate my expectations

Temporary strength is but prelude to descendant tribulations 

Birthday Thoughts

I don’t want to wish you
Too much joy
Because I hope the aggravation we
Inflict will earn you
Compound karmic interest, redeemable in
Your next incarnation
Swapped for future students
Who will be
Alert, attentive
(Let’s shoot for the moon) respectful
All the things that
We are not
Meanwhile (sorry coach)
I am afraid
You’ll have to make the best
Of who you’ve got