Growth (Page 11)

A woman stands on a long, wooden dock that stretches out into the distance. She is wearing a lightweight, ivory-colored jacket, striped stockings, and a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor, All Star, high-top sneakers. With both hands, she holds an old suitcase in front of her. It is made of light brown leather, is water-stained, and has a handful of torn and worn out pieces of travel stickers stuck to its front. One of the matching, leather securing straps is missing.

I started looking deep inside.
Finding ways to let down my guard
and be true to who I am
instead of running and hiding from myself.

(695 words)

[continue]. . .