I was thinking this morning.

I’m glad I’m not a burden to anyone.

In my way, in my weight.

A friend of mine was one of the first to realise this.

One day, I bought a new suitcase.

Of course, it was empty, but she did not know that.

She wanted to help me carry it.

Let go, I said, and I took it from her.

She realised in that moment that the suitcase was empty.

She said, ‘I can’t believe you.’

You do not even let anyone carry your empty suitcase.

That’s how I’ll never forget you.

Even an empty suitcase.

I’ll say she wouldn’t let you carry it.

One day, in a rage, I unpacked my suitcase.

What I saw inside weren’t even my things.

Other people had put things in my suitcase.

A jacket that does not belong to me.

A jumper I’ll never wear.

And some of them I do not even know about.

They all belonged to others.

I emptied it all and gave it to the owners.

Since that day.

My suitcase is empty.

I’m thinking of putting something new in it.

I want to go somewhere.

New lives, new dreams

Cities and hopes.

And my own weight.