PUZZLE PIECES

PUZZLE PIECES

In the beginning, the box was new,
Wrapped tightly with plastic, you see -
Then opened, the pieces spilled out,
They were all the pieces of me...

A little girl looking out a window,
Wondering about all that she saw;
Not understanding all that was said
Or the family run-ins with the law.

Schoolhouse, and desk and many old books
A blackboard with eraser and chalk;
A shy little girl who quietly sat
There and listened to the teacher talk.

Bicycle, streetlight, guardrails
All parts of a puzzle of me -
Accident, yet still okay, except
For a black eye and bruised knee.

First crush, first love, flowers in May
Blooming in fields fresh and green;
Young lady dressing up for a dance
Just to learn that the world can be mean.

Family pulling in different directions,
Not knowing which way to go -
A yellow brick road in the puzzle;
I wonder, can this really be so?

Airplane, blue sky, red sand below;
Another change in the scene -
Learning to rely on herself,
Learning to live, laugh and dream!

Wedding bells that never rang out,
No honeymoon trip to the Falls -
Work came first in the service;
A woman who heard when duty calls.

A baby, an airplane, another baby;
Tears, many tears in the night -
The puzzle pieces grew darker
For something just was not right!

Wedding ring taken off and put away,
It was there in the puzzle, you see;
Funeral attire and grave markers,
There were so many pieces of me!

If ever I find all the pieces
And can work at this puzzle once more,
You may find a beautiful picture
For God has been keeping the score.