Shaky Ground Poem by Traquita Thomas

If I could go back
To where you found me
Before the eggshells
Before the drama
Before the pain
Before the realization
That blending only works with cake batter
I would stay just where I was
In a place where my problems
Didn’t compound yours
My healing was complete
Struggles weren’t unusual
Just the norm
Now I struggle in a strange place
On shaky ground
Carrying seeds of damaged goods
I should have known
This soil wasn’t ready for planting
Even though you said
The soil here was good
Did you even know
How to prep the ground for planting
Or was it easier to blame me
For failing crops
Silly me
Trying to plant a garden
In unfertile soil
Now I am surrounded
On every side
With disarray
Covered up with forced sweetness
What a waste
Of everyone’s time
You see I’m too old
To climb the hill
Where falling down
Just leads to cuts and scrapes
And tiny little pieces
That can’t be put together again