"Friendship like a Toenail" by Allison Piette
It is a shield from the outer world
protecting from pain
Sometimes it breaks, and you need to cut it off,
but it always grows back.
It can be colorful and fun
Or natural and easy.
But it can cause you pain
When it tries to break away.
It can’t protect you from the things in front of you
when you stub your toe,
But it can protect you when things fall.
The things that you don’t see coming.
Some toenails are weird.
Some are long and skinny.
Some are short and fat.
Some are broken.
Some are perfectly pedicured.
But they serve the same purpose.
And everyone has them.