You grabbed my chest and ripped it open,
Until my heart- all I was, fell on the linoleum.
My lungs were full, so with careful precision,
You used a scalpel and made an incision.
For an agonizing time I waited...
As you slowly took me apart and left me debilitated.
You looked at my parts and with a close inspection
You tossed out the ones that weren't perfection.
Then you began to reassemble me, with parts that were new.
While you repeatedly told me how much better they would do.
I believed all of your words and didn't question it.
But once they were in, my chest hurt, and they felt unfit.
I wanted them out, and my old pieces back.
But you said that wouldn't work, I couldn't back track.
Now I'm stuck with pieces that don't fully fit me.
Because I fell into the worlds description of who I should be.

Once
         there
               was
                     a
                      world
                        that
      ­                  would
                        have
                     much
               rather
         given
 love....

"What can be easily torn apart,
can be quick to deceive,
will build up walls just to rip them down,
is foolish and naive?"

"What can be tremendously fierce,
and all at once soft,
if unprotected, pierced,
and hard to defrost?"

"What can hold love,
yet shatters it like a porcelain doll,
can soar like a dove,
or just as easily slip and fall?

"Where are you trapped,
what keeps you locked in?
Answer this riddle,
and you'll be free; for you win."

              *

I think over the words.
Turn them in my mouth.
I have to complete the riddle,
or I'll never be let out.

Without hesitation, I turn to my captor.
A small lock that rests on thick bars.
waiting for my answer.

"Well, even though you try and thwart,
me and my very freedom.
The answer to your riddle is my heart.
So let me go, for you've been beaten!"

My voice echos in the chamber,
that I now realize is my chest.
The rips make up the cage,
and the heart's been holding me in arrest.

I press myself against my lungs,
and take in a big gulp of air.
The key hole shrikes as it unlocks
And I leave my self made snare.