Inner Woman

the wood panels

go halfway up the wall

pale yellow wallpaper

up to the top

the desk

the night table

the shelves

are pine

a big box in the

corner

holds the Legos

the only light

in my darkness

is the ceiling light

i’m only five can’t read

yet

i peek outside

streetlamps

the moon, the stars

i cannot sleep

He might come in

He hasn’t yet

He isn’t here

mom and dad are asleep

i click the switch

i dump the Legos

on the floor

like all the other nights

build and smash

i destroy His face

build and smash

my hurt leaks out

i never told what He

did, just build and

smash until

the void is filled

i am alive

my hands are bruised

but He is gone

until the night

i hear the alarm

quick clean up the blocks

turn off the light

before dad stirs

and when he checks

i feign a dream

dad strokes my head

love fights fear

He isn’t here