Four years old

Suitcase in hand

It holds unnecessary trinkets

That she can’t seem to let go.

Gifts from her mother are stuffed in the pockets

Reminding her of missing her constantly.

Rushed out the door

Away from her love

Leaving her to try to hold on to it.

Ten years old

Suitcase is stuffed in the back of her closet

It’s wearing thin of missing paired trinkets

That she doesn’t use anymore.

Opened letters spilling out from their envelopes

Reminding her of who she’s missing.

Pulled from her arms

Away from her embrace

Leaving her to try to remember what it was like.

Fifteen years old

Suitcase is gone

Nothing in there

And she can’t recall what was there to begin with.

She still burns in her mind

Each time with a smaller flicker burning away.