A Constant Reminder

She grabs my throat with a loose grip,

her grasp slightly restricting but sweet.

She whispers in my ear— chanting.

I can hear her but it has a different feel.

Carolina.

She gleams in rays of light—

leaving the diamonds to reflect.

Smiling at everyone she sees.

Carolina.

The little girl trapped in its shiny plaque, 

only now, she's not so little.

Growing with the length of the chain

except it's getting shorter while I’m getting taller. 

Carolina. 

Its arms wrap around me like a familiar embrace.

My mother. My grandmother. 

I look down at Carolina’s golden eyes. 

I see her.