all the little pieces

there are things that get left behind
little bits of those we once loved
and at first
at times
they sting
the reminders of
something that was
that is no longer a something

but in time
as we grow
it becomes just
pieces of us
taped up and
patched up
and sewn up

and there are the bits of those
who stuck beside
offered up words
and hope
and light
and fights
and pain
and laughter
and reconciliation

all the little pieces that come from
all the ones no longer here
all the ones still here
ourselves

all the little pieces

all the little pieces that make us
singular

we are plural
in our cores
no one of us exists
solely
alone

we are plural
in our singular selves

in all our little pieces