Jagged Edges
Each life is torn
one page at a time
from the book of our living days
My pages
my days
were
regularly surgically excised
with scalpeled straight edge lines
not to leave any trace behind
of a woman's heart and mind
Now the pages more roughly torn
reveal the touch of a human mind and hand
jagged edges formed
where an eager tugging pulls
and a bending wrist tears free
liberating top and bottom
each welcome sheet
Our faces are pages of another kind—
measured in flesh
not in time
from the book of changes we tear
each day a new face to wear
from mornings of dawning awareness
to nights of love's regeneration or loss
our faces bearing traces of our thoughts and cares
revealed in the jagged lines and gentle creases
features animated by the tugs of spirit
as unselfconsciously we wear it
every expression set free
by the rougher edges of our humanity
I wonder what my face says of me
and can I bear it
Contemplated: 8/21/2012
Acknowledged: 8/28/2012
copyright 2012, MadelineB