The Puzzle Piece


The mismatched puzzle piece;
once it had a place to fit -
snugly, securely, immobile.

It never stopped or gave,
a single moment's thought,
to the wonder of belonging.

The other pieces held it;
firmly in their grasp,
protecting it, giving unity.

Circumstance arose -
the piece broke free then,
sent far away from the rest.

Struggling to fit a new place,
its edges were battered;
torn and mangled became.

Finally again it was free,
over time eventually,
found its way back home.

Its place still open,
a wound in the puzzle,
it settled in quickly.

But it no longer fit,
now so twisted and bent,
beyond recognition.

Hiding its discomfort,
it held to its place;
other pieces ignored it.

Due to its experiences,
it was changed, damaged;
never to be the same again.



(c) 2002 Robert H. Harrison