She had scars on her skin,
and a battle-weary soul.
Never to be harmed again –
that was her only goal.

For she had fought battles alone
far more than she’d admit,
and when she was on her own,
she struggled to live with it.

Trust was a long-forgotten stranger,
even though she longed to know it;
every wound cried out in anger
when she tried to show it.

Vulnerability was laughable!
Her armor held her together.
Love was something intangible,
while pain was real forever.

Pain that burned her consistently
was why she guarded her heart.
Tired of living so miserably,
tired of falling apart.

She fell in love out of the blue,
so painfully aware of her broken pieces.
Gentle, genuine, unbreakable love was new –
so she learned a love that never ceases

can hold together broken pieces

with a force stronger than glue.

©️ J.A. Steckling