I see her, in the dress
the one with the ribbon on it
I can feel her joy, pure excitement
as she rounds the staircase
making her grand entrance
she sees smiles and hears clapping
mother and grandmother both giving praise
her dress is for the coming holiday
but, the girl just can not wait
as she twirls in delight the door opens
clapping stops people scatter
the child tries to run, up the stairs, down the hall
foot is caught
shoe ripped off, stockings shredded
knee scraped, dress torn into nothing
at the landing, it is over
body limp with fear, face red
she surrenders to the event to come
her punishment
laying on her stomach, she buries her face and bites her tongue
you see, he can not face her
if she cries, he can not see her tears, the pain in her eyes
fear, hatred,
himself
the carpet burns her chest with each push forward and back again
when it is over she runs freely to the bath
hot water is her only thought
the water temperature give her a controlled reason to cry
her way to cleanse the pain and all inside her
she can plan how to escape the next time
will she float away again, turn the pain inward, or bleed it out?
or will she give in and die?

Casandra O’Brien

 
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