In the Sand

In the Sand

In the ruins of a forgotten playground, there kneels a woman in the sandpit. Her hands are shoved wrist-deep into the gritty sand—she digs with the desperation of a pirate in search of treasure. Around her, the wind ambles lazily through the trees. The motion makes the swings creak hopefully. Perhaps one day, the children will come back to play. Perhaps one day, but not today.

The woman continues to dig even as the rain begins to fall. When her fingers finally scrape against flesh, she sits back on her heels. In her hands, she cups something warm and fragile—something she had lost long ago. Something she had to give up to grow up. 

Her heart.