December 19, 2025 by margaretsmn
On Michelle’s post today, she shared photos from participatory art created by visitors at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, titled “Mending Room.”
I was drawn to this photo. I see what looks like the shape of a heart beneath the sign.
“I’m Fixed”
A heart tied together
with strong twine
can endure
break after break,
a shattering even,
when love is the tape,
twine, and glue.
How grief breaks us,
yet leaves us pieced together,
whole,
the surgery of life.
Margaret Simon, draft
Our address on the Bayou Teche
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Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, this speaks to my heart, heavier this year than last. Thank you for reminding me that love is the glue that transcends all of the pain.
“The surgery of life.” ♥️ So glad you found the perfect inspiration in broken/fixed xo
“when love is the tape, / twine, and glue.” Nice, Margaret. That Yoko Ono exhibit intrigued me, too! I wish I could see it in person.
Beautiful poem, Margaret. Love “the surgery of life.” Do you know the picture book Small Things Mended by Casey Robinson? It’s about mending a broken heart.
We’ll hold it all together for now with twine and glue and the bond of love until such time as we can properly mend things, perhaps adding veins of gold to make all more beautiful, even, than before.
I love that this image caught your attention and asked for its own poem! I saw it, but you really SAW it!!
I loved seeing that room, Margaret, and now you’ve written about it. That final line touches me very much! Happy Holidays to you & all the family!
Margaret, your poem is beautiful, and I resonate with it. I love that “love is the tape, twine and glue” that is so true. It makes love seem tangible, concrete, something that you can feel by touching simple things as tape, glue and twine. And that to me makes love even more powerful. Oh my, “the surgery of life” is profound and I resonate with this stanza, too. Well done! I hope each poem you write or passage that you read helps you to heal. Merry Christmas! Hopefully, your husband and you will be spending time with your grandchildren over the holidays.
Beautiful whole you made of these broken pieces Margaret!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🎄 ❄️ 🌟 xox
Aaahhhh … “the surgery of life.” Love that, Margaret.
Margaret, I love that that piece inspired your poem. It was the object that jumped out at me, too. “The surgery of life” what a phrase. Don’t we all feel cut open at times, feel vulnerable and have to work hard to heal. I love the Japanese art of Kintsugi- where a broken cup is mended with gold to make the broken, beautiful in its brokenness. Hope you have a lovely Holiday. Merry Christmas.
Margaret, your poem is so beautiful and genuine, pieced together but broken pieces and a tiny heart. The ending stanza holds truth and lets ponder the mystery of grief. May your holidays be filled with joy.
Such inspiration that photo! I love that you gave voice to one of the pieces in your title — and am thinking long on “pieced together” in our grief. Thank you! Merry Christmas, Linda!