Poets logo

Pieces

One More Time

By Judey Kalchik Published 2 years ago 1 min read
https://pixabay.com/

How many times will I lose us?

Each fracturing splinters the whole

each pick up yields fewer pieces.

Fitting the jagged edges together through

clouded eyes

takes longer and longer and the

result lacks the sharp clarity

with which we first began.

Pieces

growing slippery with the

what? -tears? blood? bile?

maybe all at once,

(perhaps just regret

that no longer remains

swallowed

along with the self-loathing

I'd hoped had passed through me)

makes each rebuild less sure than the

one before it.

Perhaps I'd better put it down.

Maybe I should place us on a shelf

along with those precious things that

I

Can't

Let

Go

and just walk away

lest the next break is the

last.

Free Verse

About the Creator

Judey Kalchik

It's my time to find and use my voice.

Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.

You can also find me on Medium

And please follow me on Threads, too!

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Add your insights

Comments (16)

Sign in to comment
  • Digital_FootPrint1212about a year ago

    Wow! I thought those were crabs in that main pic. I need glasses, pronto.

  • Eva A. Schellingerabout a year ago

    So raw and so real. I felt this deeply. Keep writing.

  • Natalie Wilkinsonabout a year ago

    I feel this, every time hope lifts it gets dashed down in the next minute by some new betrayal. True writing.

  • Call Me Les2 years ago

    Very heart breaking. I can feel it from the screen. ❤️

  • Well-wrought!

  • Cathy holmes2 years ago

    So sad, yet beautifully written.

  • D.K. Shepard2 years ago

    Such an ache and desperate grip on a shred of hope! Great poem!!

  • Mark Graham2 years ago

    Sometimes you just have to move on and let go. Sad one but great work.

  • Test2 years ago

    Ouch! But also... so beautiful!! Great work Judey!!

  • Well done poetry. So sad!😢💙

  • Babs Iverson2 years ago

    Life can be like a puzzle of bits and pieces. Loved you free verse poem!!!❤️❤️💕

  • Dana Crandell2 years ago

    The first line grabbed me and the rest of the poem broke me. A beautiful piece of introspection!

  • Tiffany Gordon2 years ago

    Well done!!!!

  • Heather Hubler2 years ago

    Goodness so much of this resonated, and this line was visceral, 'each pick up yields fewer pieces.'

  • Paul Stewart2 years ago

    Very stirring words, Ms Kalchik! Hope you are doing well and good! :) Glad to be first (If I am first...)

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.