avatarJonathan Greene

Summary

The poem "Inside of Me is Broken Glass" by Jonathan Greene reflects on the internal struggle of carrying unseen emotional pain, likened to shards of glass within, which is deeply felt by the individual but invisible to others.

Abstract

The poem delves into the profound inner turmoil experienced by someone who harbors intense emotional pain, metaphorically described as broken glass contained within. Despite the external world's troubles, the poet emphasizes the overwhelming nature of this internal agony, which remains concealed from view. The poem suggests that this hidden suffering is a solitary burden, one that the carrier is careful not to let harm others or themselves more than it already does. It also touches on the isolation felt by the poet, who wonders if others share similar hidden pain, and the inevitability of self-inflicted wounds as a result of carrying this fragile, sharp emotional cargo.

Opinions

  • The poet conveys a sense of guardedness, indicating that they are careful not to let their inner pain affect their life or others.
  • There is a feeling of isolation and curiosity about whether others experience similar hidden pain, which is not visible to the outside world.
  • The poem expresses the idea that the emotional pain one carries can be more severe and impactful than the troubles observed in the external world.
  • It implies that the process of living with such emotional pain is inherently self-harming, as it continually "cuts" the individual from the inside.
  • The author suggests that there is no easy solution or method to escape the pain, as it is always present and must be carried from one place or relationship to another.

Inside of Me is Broken Glass

A Poem

Photo by Jilbert Ebrahimi on Unsplash

Inside of me is broken glass shattered from years of longing to have them back Never outward, but always held inside and cared for so as not to let the shards leak out and cut my life into pieces

It’s hard to walk around so broken even when the world is worse because when I feel the broken glass inside of me, the world pales in comparison to my inner pain

Sometimes I look at others and wonder if they are as broken on the inside but I can’t tell because it’s not something you can see, but only something you can feel when you are the one carrying the broken glass with you, from place to place from person to person all the while cutting yourself from the inside out because there is no other way

© Jonathan Greene 2020

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