LOVE COMES IN MANY SHAPES INCLUDING BLUE SKIES AND PALM TREES

She tosses the piece back in the pile
looking annoyed, grabs another 
and tries again, almost
but not good enough, although both have blue sky 
and a bit of what looks like a palm tree
but not a perfect fit despite her eager impatience
she chews on her pigtails and picks another piece
 
And so we are my love
each wanting a particular shape 
just this exact way, a touch on the shoulder
just this exact way, an I’m so sorry
if not a perfect fit, we fling the gift away
and feel unloved
 
Can desires to be like soft clay
shape shifting to meet the tab or slot of the piece
next to it, so a cup of white tea perfectly fits 
a piece shaped like a hug. a gentle kiss slides 
easily into what a great job
even if it feels like a foreign language
even if it isn’t a flawless fit
 
once piece is missing 
says my granddaughter
staring forlornly at the empty space 
inside the woman’s wide yellow hat
but nothing is missing 
in a world where all shapes have a home