Slice me open and take a peak within
feel the cords that hold me together
they are tissues of scars I’ve earned

Fair and square-without bargain they were earned
stretching from stem to stern buried within
they are my strength binding me together

But wait- let’s reason together
you cannot take from me what I’ve rightfully earned
they are my inner core- my backbone within

Within me, holding me together- proud of what I’ve earned

©Vivian Zems 

Real Toads– using the tritina poetic form