Tension

My shoulders hold it all.

These once slender curves from neck to arms a smooth downward slope now two humps full of tension.

Worries, doubts, the weight of children, a house and a head full of to-do lists.

A head full of those lists, built on anxiety and fear.

Fearing the future, regretting anger, a regret that flows to my heart.

A heart that feels the grief.

Grieving what could have been. A loss that was decidedly taken by choice to achieve that mental ease in my head.

That physical ease in my shoulders.

Though the grief will never be eased in my heart. But it will feel the love, still.

Love for myself, for what I have, for these children, this body.

This body holds it all.

Strength.