crucial missing pieces

a puzzle sans a picture,
chaos, scattered shapes

we scrutinize patterns,
pray clumsily for a match

edge bits are easiest

they line up, make sense
fall into place, lie still

centers are more difficult

a tab fits awkwardly,
not quite right, almost -

hold it up to the light,
look for cracks, make a call

crucial missing pieces

they can’t always be
found with the mind

one must step back,
scan the heap blindly
and beg them to appear

Written January 4, 2003