Proof

In her secret heart, Miss Mijares’ young dreams fluttered faintly to life
--Kerima Polotan, “The Virgin”

The wooden paperweight, though broken,
holds down slips resourcefully with one
wing mimicking a bird in flight. It lay firm
on her table, so were her ways;
not minding the years of guiltless
crosses and dreams locked
for another day. What she had
kept hidden might as well be forgotten
in rows of drawers and mounds
of filed sheets organized meticulously,
lest one should require proof. A record
is only as valuable as what it represents:
names, numbers, dates, and signatures
reserved for proper validation.
Its austerity is overwhelming
and quite often taken for granted
as she manages to keep it
compartmentalized with fasteners,
staples, and the weight
of a flightless bird. Thrice removed
from reality (but not quite),
in due course, it gave
the impression of life
whilst cupped by sturdy hands.