as a child I played with puzzles
I loved their pictures,
             their logic,
             their challenge,
but I could never tell
when I was applying
too much pressure on a piece,
or if it was a perfect fit
my mother would scold me
for continuing to force a piece
to fit, when it did not
and I never imagined
that would resemble
how I play with people
             but it is
I apologize if I've ever
bent your edges unnecessarily
or made you feel like
you didn't belong