August 2009

Escape from Bristol, RI

Two large suitcases,
one black, one pink,
a small one in green
and a rucksack in red
I hauled along
from Bristol
over Boston
to Newark
and finally: Cologne

people thought
I had done Christmas shopping
I was stopped by the customs
but was let through hastily
when I burst into tears
because everything I carried along
in those bags
were the remains
of my life
while I dragged myself
through

© Julia Nickel

Mt. Hope Bridge © 2007, Julia Nickel