The Broken Toy Poem by Jeffrey Quattlebaum

For years
no one could go in
his heart was closed
to the public
for repairs.
To replace the broken
windows and tile
To clean the grime
away
and let the light back
empty, aching
but today
it is spilling
and she is telling him
saying “no more will you long.”
she brought a basket
and inside
she had some needles and thread
some thimbles and a pincushion
that resembled a tomato
she threaded a needle
and picked up a arm
and began to re-attach the limb
she smiled
and he smiled back
he was feeling ok
she pulled the needle through
tied a knot
and clipped the extra length
with her teeth
he opened his arms
and let her in
today, he thought
is the best day of my life.

She left
and he started
to ache again
he was empty
inside
she makes it real
she loves him you know
How good is that?
Damn good.