Fear of Finishing

The train swayed to a stop between fifth

And sixth. She looked around and found a

Seat complete with a New York Times

Cross-word puzzle, one Word from completion.

She added the word and immediately heard

Her mother’s voice: “If a task is once begun,

Never leave it ‘til it’s done.” But did that advice

Apply to all? Was the puzzler habitually afraid to

Finish, of having to face the urgent question

“What’s next”?