When I was a little girl-

I used to COWER

in the corner of my room, 

and listen to the screams and the shrieks. 

To a little girl, 

there were thousands of cries-

cries of betrayal...

Cries of pain...

Cries that pierced the thick night sky. 

I would hear them fighting...

YELLING at each other. 

It hurt to know that

NO peace reigned in my house. 

Once I heard that first door slam 

I would gently uncurl myself

from my innocent surrendering position. 

When I heardd that second door slam0

I would creep out of my room, 

and slowly crack open the door next to mine. 

“Mommy?”

--------. Silince. 

“Mommy.”

At the sound of her sniffles

I would enter and crawl in her bed

I would snuggle under the covers-

to pray again. 

DO YOU KNOW 

WHAT ITS LIKE?

TO WANT LOVE?

TO crave for a slice of attention?!?

For other girls, 

pretending was only a game-

For me, 

pretending was my only reality. 

I would giggle and laugh 

with the best of them. 

I would smile for my teachers-

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE?

IS THIS WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY, MRS.?

Smile and wave, 

curtesy down low-

china dolls dressed in lace...

“No frowns shall ever 

cross your face!

No Sadness, dear-

we’ll protect you 

my dearest.”

“LIES!”

Deep inside, I just

want to SCREAM.

I just want to cry...