Carrying this burden is starting to show. Silent

Alarms go off and her sensors are right. But I still lie.

Nasty lies that scent like lavender gets her off my back for a little while.

Years fly by in the 10 minutes it takes to get him

Off. I hide

Under an umbrella of happiness and “childlike interest” he’s chipping away at.

Snakes and secrets keep me quiet.

Eager is the man who stands over me

Egging me on to do more because it excites him to test the limits of my body.

Mommy I hurt. I’m sorry I can’t say it.

Empty echoes fill the room but they don’t travel enough to hear my silent cry.

I’m sorry.