She holds her head up high

As frigid blisters upon her feet

Reminds her of her struggle,

Her plight

In a winter night, she feels

The chills running down her spine

Her tears become frozen,

She keeps the vision of hope

Alive and for a second, she smells

The scent of spring, heard the sound of joy

Sharing stories of once her youth

Uttered tales of love, she once had,

Beckoned, invoked intimacy

To her soul and for a moment, she forgot

Emptiness

For a moment, she forgot pain

For a moment, she felt serene

She felt joy, as she trod the earth

As she hold her head up high

For a moment, she reclaim

back her dignity

She reclaim back her integrity.

Photo by Mihály Köles on Unsplash