glass person

(or step-by-step instructions on making one)

First step: melt

gather the secrets and stories and dreams
the unhealed scars
and all you’ve buried within

bring in the memories

the echoes and tears
all of the shadows from these past years

and melt them together

melt them until
the coarseness of life
simply disappears.

what must be found

in this magical mix
is you,
the pure, true essence of you

Second step: pour

find a mould, one that fits
the person you are
the one you wish to be

and pour in your mixture

into crannies and gaps
sculpting your soul into glass

Third step: set

let the mixture cool
and now what you find
is the little glass person that you have designed

but know and beware

that fragility will come
some part of you is always bound to crack

people see through

all that you are
and in their own light
 they’ll choose what to understand

what they don’t

they'll take as a fault
and work together
until it’s part of you no more

they’ll cut through the glass

with might and strength
there’s nothing to do

Fourth step: break