she is three years old
& holding the hand of her
older brother as they walk
through the field -
a summer breeze falling lightly
over her rosy cheeks
he swings the small girl
through the air as she
screams and giggles.
she is seven years old
& breaking down a locked door to
find the boy on the floor
and crying -
a dim light illuminates his face
she holds him tightly until
the tears stop falling.
she is eleven years old
& going deaf -
sitting in a loud room with
a lively crowd
she cannot hear a sound.
she is thirteen years old
& can't seem to figure out why
all her friends keep sneaking out
for sex -
it is an unappealing act that
everybody seems to care about
except for her.
she is sixteen years old &
visiting her brother in hospital
after another near death -
it is winter and snow falls
outside the window
unspoken words linger between
her and the boy
she cannot hear his voice.
she was nineteen years old
when she looked into a mirror
and saw her father for
the very first time.
