the common thread
binding steel and being human
is found in the basic chemistry
of their carbon content.
so they taught,
but it goes beyond that-

organic and synthetic have their analogies,
and their contradictions,
and their head-on collisions:
soul and substance,
logic and emotion.
challenge comes in the
reconciliation of both-

tell me how
when the threshold slides along the spectrum
and the degrees in between blur
no longer right, nor wrong
only a matter of choice, then consequence-
only relative.

a world of steel has made nerves of steel
a necessary
framework to support the fragility
pride would rather repress

the fire that quenches steel,
the fire that consumes soul-
analogous, but not to be confused
as equal

steel bends, soul weakens
shaped by elements
forceful enough, gentle enough
to cause a reaction,
to leave an impression.

do not mistake
my resilience for absence
of vulnerability

i may be steel, but i'm also human
accept the contradictions
forgive the imperfections
see me as i am
not as you want me to be

lest i be just the carbon copy.

09/17/2005

Author's Note: and that, my kryptonite, would be my undoing.

Posted on 09/17/2005
Copyright © 2025 Tricia Marie Miel