when silence was my savior
shame my new companion
I carefully kept and rearranged truth
hidden under Strawberry Shortcake bedcovers
I perfected my smile
and trained my eyes to sparkle
and wore a “fine” mask
to ward off questions
to silence whispers
No need to pull nails from their beds
for no one begged me to break
I sat huddled behind a door that locked from the inside
scared of the dark that came every night
even if I left the lights on
but even the dead tell secrets
without torture
I wear scars
from both
Colleen -- your few short stanzas speak volumes of verisimilitude. Sadly, I understand your piece on many levels, even the personal one, and therefore I must give you the utmost credit for your courage on shinning some light on a shadow you've probably buried too long. Amazing job :)
