Text

the dank air
was heavy in my
lungs
it weighed me down
my feet like roots
i touched my hands together
as if in prayer
and hoped that i could
catch myself
for there would be
nobody to catch me

i walked the streets
hunched into the wind
the calls of men
loud in the stillness
it reminded me of the
barks of dogs
i was alone
the streetlamps
overhead
the ground seemed to
suck in the light
like a naughty child
i did not stop

anger clenched my hands
into fists that ached
they shook and
wanted to taste blood
i would have gladly killed
the taste of it in my throat
working its way down
into my belly
my feet were so heavy
i was a marionette that had
escaped its strings
my mouth was tempted to tremble

the car pulled up with a screech
it smelled of gasoline and burning
rubber
i opened the door and got in
relief
the men had gone
and the anger felt righteous
safety left me voiceless
for my voice had been swallowed
and digested
it would return another day
until then my eyes were dry and
my nails felt sharp in my skin
safety
i turned to my father and-