Broken

of a variety of constructed A-frames all leaning to support one another ... and that precious center where safety is (seemingly) assured ... and still the trust of the small one biding therein comes fragile, strained. "interlocking pieces protecting the inner circle where trust is strained and struggling" and a lifetime of trust-building can't wholly offset a single moment's sharp betrayal, let alone many moments of same or similar ... And you say it so well. And wisely. Perceptively. Thanx much (once again), Chuck

the ONE no longer whole as a group of fractals they stand a chance their hands clasped with locked arms feet wide apart protecting the inner circle where trust is strained and struggling I can see a fragile girl finding protection from the harm she sees coming from those threating her well being whether real or imagine. Coping mechanism, Well portrayed here. Smiles:) Barbara

One of the first poets I corresponded with on the poets.com site had multiple personality disorder and she was amazingly together about the presence of the separated strands of her life. Indeed she expressed a humorous glee in telling me that i would have to accept very different views expressed on my poetry by her various different personae...six i believe (so lagging a little behind you. lol). There is often a dominant personality of course at the centre as you describe who keeps some degree of control, but when things really become fragmented it is very much the maelstrom you describe and there is no centre at all. I enjoyed your poem as always Cat and even more so because it came out of our correspondence. Keith

It takes two reads to get the flow, to find the path, the punctuation lacking as it does. I found this disjointing, and to add to that, the tiny, staccato lines and the poem drawn out stretched so thin it almost snaps. But you know, that feeling is exactly what makes this poem; if you put it in nice neat, compact verses and made it look ordered and pretty, it wouldn't paint the right picture, would it? Good choices. I couldn't help but wonder (expect?) another line or two at the end. It seems to dangle. But maybe that is as intended, maybe you had switched personalities to the silent one....