little girl
kitchen table is her
worst nightmare
she welcomes the
monster
under the bed
to sit with her and
endure.
this pain.
he says to her
little girl
you cannot run
like you used to with
you pigtails flying like small kites
you cannot shake
like you used to with
your wobbling knees.
you cannot cry
like you used to with
your red eyes and wet cheeks
you can only sit
and wait
for pain.
and when it comes
little girl
you must
devour
it.