Title: Stick: Chrysalis
Fandom: "Carruthers" - Diana Wynne Jones (Mods - if you want to tag this 'book (category)' that is fine by me.)
Challenge: Stick
Other prompt: N/A
Rating: G
Length: 71
Content notes: N/A
Author notes: The story "Carruthers" can be found in the Diana Wynne Jones short story collection "Unexpected Magic" The eponymous character is a walking-stick. Or are they?
Summary: A poetic look at both Carruthers and Elizabeth


To beat you with, the small voice said
No beating here (him or them or her —
Not anyone)
Except
Wings and hearts will themselves beat
Feet down stairs as small hands grip —
Hold firm, defend
Take flight
Charcoal, chalk, graphite, gall to write
Paper, breath and purpose shaping —
Here standing fast
Clear eyed
Break forth from narrow, rigid bounds
No need to beat now broken bands, still —
Itself constrained
Fly free