Broken is a word for toys
for computers, for cars, and for other things
but definitely not
for people.
So don’t assign that label to me
as if I were some forgettable object.
I’m so much more
than I dare admit even to myself.
An unquenchable fire burns deeply
into which I must regularly sink
until finally I shall burn away
the self-doubt, the pain, the fear…
and rise from the ashes
once again.
1/17/24
Karen McCaskey 