A Brief History of Brokenness

The year I was born
a historic hailstorm came.
Everyone lost cars, windows.
The shards never fully swept.

In time, the suburb recovered.
Insurance copped for solar panels,
HOAs bought replacement birds.
I grew up assured of the sun

even though my closet overflowed
with raincoats. I had two Nintendos.
We weren’t rich in other ways
despite a chandelier on the porch.

Here I struggle today, still timid
under clouds, but relentless.
Carefully releasing everyone I love
into the dry, bright sky.

Digging Press