pieces of the heart, given to many
they find a place in the hearts of others
deserving their warmth and affection
some briefly, some for a lifetime
some in an instant - unexpectedly
some nurtured over time 

given unselfishly without expectations
given sometimes without forethought
given sometimes with much prudence
given but not always accepted
given but not always appreciated
given but not always received

spaces in the heart left by pieces given
are filled by the pieces of others'
some fleeting, some forever
once given you don't want them back
when filled, never forgotten
when taken away, always painful

these pieces interlock in the puzzle of love 
sometimes they fit, sometimes they don't
If you lose a piece, travel to find it
If it is meant to fit, it will stay in place
when one loosens, tighten it
when you find one that fits,
hold onto it forever....