“Strength” by Yelizaveta Tolstokoraya

STRENGTH

Yelizaveta Tolstokoraya*

As little children tend to, My brother and I would compete. We’d lift boulders and throw them in the lake And judge who threw the farthest. We’d harness ourselves with grocery bags To see who could carry the most And then come back for more. Jars with tight lids I saved for fun, Never giving anyone to open. I got up out of bed today. My body heavier than the rocks I used to throw, And it was more than I expected.