There’s so much to love about this poem: The extended metaphor, symbolism, alliteration, play on words, and most of all, the meaning each of us can personally put together from this piece of poetry as we often get puzzled about the sadder parts of our lives…

The Puzzle Peace

By Loralai Milton

Sadness.
An empty hole.
An unfillable gap –
Like a puzzle with a missing piece.

Emotion takes control.
We feel a longing
To rid ourselves of sadness.

We want the opposite:
A life of no downs,
A life of ups–
Perceived Completion.

But, without the piece of sadness,
Can we be whole?

With the absence of a puzzle piece,
How can we perceive
The feeling of completion?

The peace from all the pieces in place.

Loralai Milton is a seventh grade honors student at Sunnyvale Middle School. She is gifted in acting, music, and writing. Loralai’s creativity and drive keep me inspired! –Ms. Angela Henderson