Patchwork quilt

[angelhermit]

I used to hold my heart so close and dear
Refuse to reveal it from behind the safe confines of my rib cage
For I have but one heart to give in this lifetime
And since every person who touches this fragile piece of my soul
Takes a piece of it with him
I wanted to keep my heart whole as best I could
Because I wanted he who deserved my heart most
To have as much of my heart as I could give

But then one day I realized that
For every fragment of my heart that I've given away
I've received another's in return
A special gift of friendship, of love
I've collected a dozen, a thousand pieces of hearts in this way
That this heart that used to be all mine
Is now a wonderfully colorful medley, a patchwork quilt 
Each piece a precious memory of those who touched my life and whose lives I touched

So now I'm not afraid to show you my heart
I don't regret that I have
For you've already given me a piece of yours
Whether you know it or not
And you needn't fear that you've lost a piece of your heart
For it's safe and sound in my chest, filling the same hole mine used to be
I will take care of your heart for you
Promise me only that you will take care of mine for me.