Original Art, by CC Shong, acrylic on canvas, framed. Featured in a book of poetry by the artist with this poem.

“I seem to like being hurt

that's how I manage to break my own heart on any given Monday
I'll crack it open like a pomegranate
to display the juicy details of my affections watch as the seeds get taken for granted precious fruit falling to the floor

discarded
so incredibly unguarded
this haven is still good for something
the good enough to house a broken heart it's a sanctuary for the dark
there's no complaints
as juices spread to the floor
and somehow there's still more
this abnormal fruit seems almost infinite as it's going
it wasn't finished yet
but there's comfort in knowing

that this agony won't fade
maybe you saw it and kept it for days maybe this fruit was so tart in your mouth that you're starting to taste my hurt now and now a seed is planted in your chest insisting on pomegranate blooms in spring that's the beauty my broken heart brings you'll feel no relief
you'll be haunted by these
seeds in your chest
and even when the roots have spread
you won't be dead
you'll be a walking reminder
of the things that I said
you'll be kinder
in the spaces that you tread
in the spaces we meet
it's good to know
I hurt for something”