Paper Chains

I hung onto people,

like those paper chains we made in grade school.

Taped together, colorful chaos.

I held on even when some links stopped holding their own weight,

I watched myself tear and fall apart,

because I trusted time more than respect.

A crumpled up & torn version of myself,

trying to tape myself back together after every friendship travesty.

I’d find myself stuck to them again,

linking up because of the past

like time spent together meant I owed them more.

When I finally let go on my own,

I transformed, almost alchemical.

I made links of steel,

with like minded souls.

People who didn’t weigh me down,

but lifted me and kept me level.

Permanent fixtures of friendship,

I’d torn through so many false facades to find.