Broken Things – #AtoZChallenge

Apr 2, 2021 | Poetry

Broken Things

We hold on, against
Inevitability
Of broken things:
Good dishes.
Hearts. Trust. Minds.
Time and time again
We gather shards,
Glue them together
With grief, tears,
Willpower. 
Sheer determination.
We hold on, knowing
One day, soon enough
We will be
Those “broken things.”
And so, against
Inevitability
We hold on.
 
 


If you enjoyed “Broken Things,” you may also enjoy these poems published last year on Medium.com: 

Kintsuge, a spiritual reflection on the value of broken things

Carefully Stacked Bones, worn, weary, and full of wonder. In every ruin I have ever seen or traipsed through, I imagine the people who built what must have once been a thriving center of life. I know that every one of them, and us, is someone’s child.

Holly Jahangiri

Holly Jahangiri is the author of Trockle, illustrated by Jordan Vinyard; A Puppy, Not a Guppy, illustrated by Ryan Shaw; and the newest release: A New Leaf for Lyle, illustrated by Carrie Salazar. She draws inspiration from her family, from her own childhood adventures (some of which only happened in her overactive imagination), and from readers both young and young-at-heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, J.J., whose love and encouragement make writing books twice the fun.

11 Comments

  1. Jill Ebstein

    My favorite line: Time and time again
    We gather shards,
    Glue them together
    With grief, tears,
    Willpower.

    Very poignant piece.

    Reply
  2. Marian Allen

    Broken, me. But the kids are pasting me together perty good. HUGS

    Reply
    • Holly Jahangiri

      <3 I'm glad they are, Marian. I think of you all the time, and ache for the brokenness but cheer on all the little signs of repair. I wish I lived closer.

      Reply
  3. DoD

    Did this have anything to do with our earlier conversation!?

    Reply
    • Holly Jahangiri

      No. Was our conversation before or after I posted this? 🤣

      Reply
  4. Bob Jasper

    Lovely poem, Holly. I think about the origin of those broken shards each time we visit a favorite ruin in AZ. We’ve found numerous bits and pieces of pottery and always delight in finding a bigger piece. My mind always goes to those who made the vessels and used them and occasionally to those who smashed them. I would so much like to see the whole vessel and visit with those who made them.

    Reply
    • Holly Jahangiri

      You just gave me an idea for a short story, Bob. 😉 Stay tuned.

      Also, this comment landed in Spam. My guess is that CommentLuv wasn’t sure WHAT to make of your using an RSS feed (e.g., Medium link) and spammed it. I have no problem at all with it (I know you’re you, and I know that’s your site on Medium! But your comments MAY be delayed from time to time, and I THINK that’s why.)

      Reply
  5. Stuart Harlan Nager

    Ok
    That photo on top creeped me out

    Pieces are almost always missing

    Reply
    • Holly Jahangiri

      I contemplated adding a “trigger warning,” but that seems antithetical to being a writer. It’s our job to be provocative. So I deleted my “apologies” for that creepy image, and you’re the first to mention it. But it is, isn’t it? I hear ya.

      Reply
  6. Shilpa Gupte

    Every word here reminds me of life, the broken things I am trying to glue together, not knowing it they will stay glued or break again. Living life knowing, that some day, I will be the broken one 🙁
    Loved this poem, Holly!

    Reply

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