They say true joy can never be broken;

Why does mine lay in rubble at the bottom of my heart?

Or are these shards just memories of life cut short 

Or simply the pieces of my own shattered heart?

They say true joy can never be broken, 

But has their joy ever been tested by the spoils of life?

Have they covered their beloved for the very last time, Held their fractured children

Or no child at all?

Has experience yet come to be their teacher?

Perhaps, true joy can never really be broken,

But on days like this, it’s hard to hold 

All those pieces at the bottom of my heart. 

Written for a friend and his beloved on their first anniversary apart...