All I ever wanted was for us to stay
Just the way we were
Lying under the stars
When we were young and in love

i'm sorry, I say
i swallowed myself whole
late last night
when no one was looking
rather
when I hid myself away

i ate myself
down past the bone
up to the neck
made wings of my thoughts
and made my getaway

my body is gone
i never missed it
but for when the absence of it
ached so hard I remembered
these wings made from
the flesh and feather of thought
can't carry the weight
of my head forever

In Japan there is an art form
called kintsukuroi which means
to repair with gold
When a ceramic *** or bowls
would break the artisan would
put the pieces together again
using gold or silver lacquer
to create something stronger
forevermore beautiful than before
The breaking is never something
to hide
It doesn’t mean that the work of the art
is ruined or without value because
it is different than what anticipated
Kintsukuroi is a way of living that
embraces every flaw and imperfections
Every crack is part of the  history of
the object and it becomes forevermore
beautiful
precisely because it has been
broken
I’ve told this story to tell you this
People are the same way
Being hurt or heart broken
or feeling broken generally
is not who you are
It is something that happens to you
Rise up stand proud and move forward
Stop looking about what the world says
about you and who you are
The value of your worth is more
than you can ever conceive
and when you trust
in your heart you’ll understand
the Power you house within
Cracks and all your true value
can never be lost in translation

If you’re ever sat alone in the darkest room of your mind remember that there’s a tealight on the windowsill.

Light that candle.

And that little flame of mine will glow so fiercely, emitting undeniable warmth and love,
that will dance around the room like a firefly.

O, my heart!
With each pulse arrives ache
Not for thyself,
But my dear friend, far away

Before you told your tale--
I already knew
You see, it's captured in your eyes
And perceived through my view

Most have witnessed rock bottom,
But you sank deeper into its subterranean room
Don't fear, for I once visited
And believe I can guide you through

I know it hurts,
Sometimes so much your lungs forget to breathe
I've lived your anger,
Placing trust in the one breaking promises to me

But slowly and delicately
Your heart will reform
Stronger, yet softer
A little different than before

And when you feel desolate,
Absent of warmth
Listen to your inner voice reminding you
Times heals all wounds and transforms

© JL Smith