Draft Day 2025 at Paper Poetry

She Speaks Her Messages of Courage

How a glass elephant speaks into my life every day

Prillephant doing what she does best — photo with added text by author

She’s been here with me
all these many years
in multi workplace spaces
and on my desk at home
She’s stood upon the sill
stared blankly at the wall
life has come and love has gone
She’s never said a word

and yet
every day
She speaks to me
wise messages of courage -
Don’t give up
Stand your ground
Hold your head up high
Even when you think you’re done
breathe in and count to three
Remember where you’ve come from
and all that you’ve achieved
Repeat this, it’s your mantra,
“Today, is my day to be me.”

© Carolyn Hastings 2024

Dedicated to Prillephant, my glass elephant figurine, that has accompanied me on life’s travails for over four decades.