It went around her neck, a symbol smooth of warmth

concise clarity, just enough weight to feel the ground

hold onto when her confidence didn’t show up for work.

 

It replaced her doubts packaged with strings of anxiety

long ago shipped on away. Her essential purpose

written to last, needed all of the available room.

 

The chain lay lightly on her chest, polished by her daily reaching.

She was never without it, the promise made for small faces

their eyes questions from a future she would never see.

 

© Alicia Grimshaw 2018

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” – Nietzsche