Change

Posted bywriterravenclawPosted inPoems and short storiesTags:

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/what-do-you-see/

The road less travelled, or so they say.

Two roads to take, and fate waits for a practical decision. If only, Alice thought, I could see what happens in each direction. If I swipe left, and the love of my life magically appears.

Could I really be content with that?

Many women in the past got married at eighteen; a mother at nineteen. Nothing but nappies, and having to give up their true authority. As her predecessors achieved the vote, work, and held positions of power; the perfect timeline was the future.

She studied the crystal credits in her palm like a promised kiss. As each shimmering line swirled, her fingers traced over what could be. Whatever time period she chose, there could always be hope for more.

To change a part of history, despite her inferior status.

The only rule for rebirth is memories of heaven erased. She could choose the simple route, but today wasn’t the day.

She flicked the coin in the air and strode into the woodland overwhelmed with thorns. In spite of everything, her determination would win any battle. As the token shifted, she read her identification.

‘Nanny Maroon, freedom fighter, nurse; someone to be proud of,’ she said, her heart shifting from the immortal to being human again a mere transportation through the light.

A poem I learnt in school, as an teaching assistant, by John Agard, called Checkin Out Me History made me think of this character. She is less well known than Florence Nightingale, but shouldn’t be.

Published by writerravenclaw

I am a fifty something mother of two grown up children, and one beautiful grandchild. I have been married for nearly thirty-four years. My first book was published ten years ago. I wrote my book Sticks and Stones because of my experience of being bullied at school.

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