Herself
Still in the same anxious frame of mine
Driven more strongly by curiosity than fear
She felt her eyes opening wider
A dazzle of red fire before her eyes
Fires of professional hunger and delight
She had too great a desire to live herself
Striving for it –
She surprised everyone by her boldness
The fuss and bustle distracted her attention
As though some inner voice oppressing her
With moments of doubt she enjoyed the struggle
She regained her self-possession
You don’t come to New York to get married; you come here to get rich*
The naturalness of her manner gave her a sort of quick distinction
Her own personal journey
Feeling a desire
Something within
She longed to be.
Sources:
*Overheard in NYC
Anna Karenina, Chapter 29 – Leo Tolstoy
Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Big Magic’ – The New York Times
The Ring Of Time – E. B White
