Note: This is written from a prompt in A Writer’s Year 365 Creative Writing Prompts by Emma Bastow. “What can’t you leave the house without?”

You wrap around me like a blanket, bearing burdens only Atlas could conceive. You know the shadows of death, the crispness and misery of love, the sight of spilled blood, the cold blade of manipulation pressed against the trembling throat of the soul, the force of an angry fist. Agony at life and crushing guilt from old ignorance long gone. You have seen me beam and felt me fade, never leaving my side.

The gossip of the world whispered deep into my soul, “Do not trust her. She has made you ugly.” Day after day, the hushed voices grew louder within me until I could not block them out; until when I saw you, I did not see myself, only the pain I carry. Once my friend, now my enemy.

I glared at you, unrecognizable. Another betrayal, where only punishment could bring you back. You would not budge.

All that you carried was all that I despised. The heaviest, darkest parts of me, hidden in plain sight.

Steady, you stayed. Waiting for me to catch up.

Until one day I saw that only Hercules was strong enough to give you reprieve from all you carried for me. My dear body, what could be more powerful than the strength you have shown?

No longer deceived; there is nothing but love found in what you have done for me.