Presently ....

sometimes she looks back  
trying to find her old self  
that garnered strength from within
before life and what she thought  
was love started tearing her asunder  
over and over  
 
how she always seemed to be  
surrounded by those who demanded  
things from her
time, love, money, patience, always  
expecting her to fill their cups
ridiculing her if she didn't  
 
she had to tear herself away from
all of that
self preservation had become  
her only friend  
 
she lost a lot in the separating  
she is the only one now
who tears at what her life has become  
coming to terms with it
has not been easy
 
her pieces scattered to the wind
she is different  
definitely not who she was before
hopefully in some ways better
still, she can look back now
and find those pieces  
that made her strong  
 
gather them  
be proud of them  
and realize that even with some gone
she's still worthy of good things  
of finding love
even though that too may be different  
 
she's always accepted  
what life has thrown at her
with head held high  
with a smile on her lips  
gratitude in her heart  
 
she's still who she was  
just put back together  
differently