The Last Puzzle Piece

Two hours.
I’ve been sitting here.
For two hours.
Staring at this board.
An incomplete photo.
How familiar.
Pick up the box
Shake it upside down
There has to be something here.
But alas,
I find nothing.
Nothing at all.
Stand up
Spin around
Eyes scanning the area
Looking for what is missing.

Do not get angry.
For it is just a small fragment of an incomplete photo.
But however!
It is not the photo!
For it is the principle.
And the pride.
The dignity.
And I will not lose to such a small object.
Not today.

And all I can say to myself is
“Where the hell is the last puzzle piece?”