When Do I Get to Heal

by Lindsay Isaac-Lalla

Frayed at the hems,

Rough edges separating.

Threadbare and lifeworn,

These old threads are failing.

Pulled in too many directions,

I’m coming apart at the seams.

Grabbing to hold myself together,

Split by the absence of dreams.

When do I get to heal?

When do I get to start

what’s on my mind and in my heart?

It’s all tearing me apart.

Trying to breathe new life

Out of this old coat.

Stitch it up nice

Let it sing a new note.

But it’s small mends, scissors and thread,

Layering surface patches,

The place I started

still covered in scratches.

When do I get to heal?

When do I get to start

what’s on my mind and in my heart?

It’s all tearing me apart.

Maybe it’s my turn?

Hold me where I am.

Share my heart and my hurt,

At least the little I can.

Rend apart this old cloth

and let it go.

I’m here for my what’s underneath

Bursting with all I hold.

When do I get to heal?

When do I get to start

what’s on my mind and in my heart?

It’s all tearing me apart.

I’ll carry those old threads,

Holding them with my own heart.

And I’ll keep asking:

When do I get to heal?

When do I get to start

what’s on my mind and in my heart?

It’s all tearing me apart.

When do I get to heal?

When do I get to start

what’s on my mind and in my heart?

It’s all tearing me apart.