Felo-de-se

This little girl
hides inside herself
praying the wounds will heal
locking her heart in a box
high up on a shelf.

A secret key to the lock
- the key did not belong to them.
Now her soul is opened wide,
forcefully exposed
with no asylum.

This little girl's
wounds open again
upon her wrists
a fine red line
between her reality
and her insanity.

This little girl
so afraid to fly
with wings clipped
by mankind.
She will never again soar
like the others.

This little girl
retreats to a dark corner
crying silently - afraid of it all
what's inside - a painful disease
too familiar with the pain.

This little girl
slowly rocking back and forth
clutching her small knees
up to her chest -
hoping the pain will
bleed itself away.

This little girl
whose life flows out
onto the floor
begs to hear
the whispered apologies
of so many yesterdays.