How some Men Are Broken

“How some men are broken”

*
Some men are broken
in a way that you
will recognize immediately;

wrapped up stiff, in whatever
support they found
after some disaster

they are sensitive and cumbersome
and hate at every little thing
in the way.

They push and push, and are always exhausted.

*
Some men are broken
in a way you
might not notice at first;

as illusionists can dislocate
shoulders to escape a self-made trap,
so the broken man exploits his break

to wriggle through life
and avoid exposure- but note, his shoulders do
not reset, like Houdini’s- ask him to pick something up

then you will know.

*
Some men are broken
in a way that is practically
undetectable;

broken into pieces so small
that they are like ghosts
of men, or clouds-

passing through the world
with a murmur,
easily missed, easily ignored,

interrupted by the wind like a whisper.