Sat
staring
straight ahead
face impassive
no smile
no frown
nothing
to indicate
emotion felt
even aware
life is at stake.
What had happened in there?
What had occurred?
Why had it been allowed
to continue
unfettered?
Where were those
should have protected
abused
molested
she is lost within
no more a child.
A child?
A child does not maim.
A child does not destroy
flaying a man alive
slicing another to an inch of flesh
stabbing another in the eye.
She does
when that is all she has known
when found
she cuddled
huddled
in filth strewn waste
tears flowing
over cheeks
sunken in hunger
perceived not
help had arrived
mute she sat
much as she does now.
Head down
eyes upon the table
hair falling
curtain
shield
no one can see
gentle smirk
dancing on lips
teddy bear held close
her only protection
her only friend
left from
that time
the time she would forget
if only
allowed her they would.
©Jan. 16/21
Picture via Pinterest
The Wonderful and Wacky World of One Single Mom 