The Appendage

A cigarette end burning from her lips.

Ashes falling.

Bruises on her arms.

A cold instrument haphazardly bound to her head.

She gazed into the mirror, no longer able to fully recognize

this object, barely able to trace it’s slurred outline.

She quizzically looked at this cold piece of metal seemingly fused to her, wondering if anyone would ever free her from its bondage.

Or if the original owner, bored, would reenter and for his own sick, twisted amusement add more weight to the already useless appendage.

She couldn’t remember much of the original owner, or even if there had been one.

She couldn’t remember how long she had been sitting there, in front of that mirror

waiting for release...

RELEASE

She screamed, reaching out for the intruder in one final attempt to rid herself of it. Aware of its existence, but unable to focus - her world a blur - she flailed about miserably trying to catch hold of her oppressor. Nothing.

Dizzy from exhaustion, she fell to her knees, a puddle of tears forming beneath her.

In that tiny reflection, she finally caught a clear glimpse.

Bright. Beautiful. Gold.

Once muted to her eyes, jewels beset in this foreign object

began to shine brilliantly.

She jumped from her knees to get a better view.

The mirror that had betrayed her so many times in the past,

For the first time showed truth.

She placed her hands up to her head- to this gift, memories flashing back like lightning.

The man who gave it to her, said it would be light.

She lifted it from her head. It was as light as a coin.

He said it would be there in times when she needed it most

to remind her of her beauty. In this moment, she felt like royalty.

Standing there that day, bruised, battered, covered in years of ash, she released cold oppression and discovered, in it's stead...a crown.

Written by Tracy Medberry 2011 (not that you want them, but all rights reserved)