A box lies in my path.

What is in it?  It’s taped shut.

Closed, sealed, shut.

I can’t release the hinges.

I can’t undo the taping.

I can’t open the box.

So all I can do is drag it along with me.

Keep it with me while I whisper.

Hope it will hear.

Keep it with me while I speak.

Hope it will listen.

Keep it with me while I scream.

Hope it will answer.

But the box is closed, and it will stay so

Maybe it fears the touch of fresh air

Maybe it fears change

Maybe it doesn’t want the world to know what’s inside.

Maybe it doesn’t want me to know what’s inside.

So I will not open it.

I will not become a godforsaken Pandora.

Light will never touch its jewels and mysteries and spices.

So I’ll put the box back down.

On the ground.

Weep and then leave.

And watch as the whole world passes it by.