she wore lace dresses and combat boots
dust in her eyes
unseen and unheard
choking on her thoughts
silent screams
in the middle of the night
the smell of kerosene
penetrating her skin
angry words
burning from the inside out
ashes in the outhouse
reeking of shame & regret
childhood disrupted
her monkey doll worn thin
bearing the pain
bottled inside
nowhere to go
to hide from the monster
in the corner of her room
fiberglass in his teeth
ugly whispers
cut like knives
while she sleeps
amidst her butane curling iron,
lace dresses and combat boots