He Made Me Promise

not to tell. He said no one would
believe me. He said I would only disgrace
myself. He said that I would lose
him. I carried the secret from the bedroom,

to the shower, to the
kitchen table I carried it all day
at school, in my classes and among
my friends. I carried it when talking to

my counselor. She told me that it was
ok to talk about it. But I was afraid, afraid of
what would happen, afraid of what
they’d do. What would they think about me

if I let my secret loose? I carried the shame
as heavy as the secret itself. I carried it home
that evening when I went into my bedroom
and swallowed the pills. When I awoke in the hospital

they looked as if they knew. They told me I was
safe. They told me I would stay for a while,
in a place that would help me. At least I’ll get
away from him. Maybe someday I’ll tell the
whole world the secret I’ve been keeping.