Porcelain

It wasn’t till I picked you up

that I knew how fragile you were

How cracked you had become

Not until you fell apart in the palm of my hand

Did I know

That I could not hold you

Not until you crumbled through my fingers

Did I know

That it wasn’t even you I was holding

But porcelain
Not until I was cut by your brink
Did I realize
I was not bleeding for you
But because of you
And you

Were no longer able to

No longer able to be

Anything but fragility

Falling apart in the hands

Of those that love you

Not until I saw your smile

Did I know

How far you had fallen

And how far you still had to go

Not until I heard you speak

Did I know

How quiet you had become

And how little you had to say

Not until I saw you cry

Did I see

How little I knew you

Or cared to

Because not until I let you go

Did I see

How many pieces you had become

And how easy it is to stay that way