Shattered strings

Don’t expect a perfect melody
from a lyre with shattered strings
ripped again and again
by cruel, clumsy, unkind fingers.

If you want it to sing sweet
pick it from the dust
where it is lying in neglect
repair all its shattered strings.

Then try with love and kindness
may be it will sing again
but the cruelty of past hands
may come back to choke it.

If you cant ignore those moments
those tiny falterings
go for a new lyre
leave it where it is now.