tough and beautiful you

the soul of your smile...
is it so rare
that you don't realize
it is the only source of wealth
that grows more and more
as you give it to me?
you've claimed without speaking
'it's been broken enough'
in tiny balled up brown fists
of defiance
and sarcasm that cuts
like rusty machetes in swamps
and since all i want to do
is whatever i can to
align all of those pieces better
held together tough and brave
that compose a beautiful you
i'll put words aside
and take my tears
and blood that bears your name
and put them to work
as a caring heart's glue.

4.28-29.11