Brick by brick

I don't have a particularly interesting story to tell about this poem. This isn't based on a true story; in fact, I am pretty sure I was watching a Hallmark movie and had an idea bubble up. It's a little hazy. This was a poem I sketched out in 2014 (!). Nothing like digging up and dusting off old pieces to flex the writing muscles. Well, anyway, here it is in all its glory.

 Bricks

Sticks and stones can break my bones

but your words are the one thing I will never forget.

As my defenses started to crumble

The rubble fell at your feet.

Even in defeat I couldn’t help but give those broken pieces of myself to you.

Your words found a place to hide out in the curve of my ear.

Taking shelter, finding a safe space to live forever

Your voice ringing out clear and pure.

(It really was the strongest thing about you.)

There is something hypnotic about a beautiful weapon.

A silver tongue spitting brass bullets.

Perfect white teeth gnashing.

Pushing out soft words with jagged intentions.

Your words were an unforgettable cadence.

I still can’t stop hearing you say it. “There’s someone else.”

(It really was the worst thing about you.)

Each one of your words was another brick.

Baked in the heat of my fury.

Every smug platitude was mortar and filler.

Watch me build this wall.

You keep saying it over and over.

"We can still be friends, right?" 

"You understand, don't you?"

Brick. Brick. Mortar. Brick.

I crumbled and fell. But now I’m rebuilding.

Up and up and up and up.

And then finally…

I’ll be over you.

I call this photo "Love in an alley". Taken in 2017, Lincoln, NE.